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APULEIUS 
MADAURENSIS 


TITLE: 


STORY  OF  CUPID  AND 
PSYCHE  ... 

PLA  CE : 

LONDON 

DA  TE : 

1912 


Restrictions  on  Use: 


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PRESERVATION  DEPARTMENT 


Master  Negative  # 
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Psyohe  et  Cupido  Eng# 

Apulelus  Madaurensia*  ■ 

The  story  of  Cupid  &  Psyohe,  translated  froB  the | 

Latin  of  ApuleiuB,  by  Charles  Stuttaford,  illus-   ; 

trated  by  Jessie  Mothersole. . .   London,  pub.  by 

the  Priory  press,  1912 • 

XV,  97  p.,  plates,        19j-  cm. 


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IMAGE  PLACEMENT:    lA     H^     IB     IIB 

DATF      FILMED: 3.1ALAI INITIALS_ 

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TECHNICAL  MICROFORM  DATA 

REDUCTION    RATIO:_____J_lx 


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CUPID  ^  PSYCHE 

TRANSLATED  FROM  THE 
LATIN  OF  APULEIUS  BY 
CHARLES  STUTTAFORD 
ILLUSTRATED  BY  JESSIE 
MOTHERSOLE       S«.     5»     S«. 


NEW    IMPRESSION 


t_..   .. 


LONDON:  PUBLISHED  BY  THE 
PRIORY  PRESS  70  HIGH  STREET 
HAMPSTEAD    N.W.   5»   MDCCCCXII 


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THIS     RENDERING    OF   AN    OLD    STORY 

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ILLUSTRATIONS 

Psyche  in  the  Valley  of  Flowers  .  Frontispiece 
The  Discovery  of  Cupid  .  .  To  face  page  42 
Psyche  aided  by  the  Bird  of  Jupiter  „  82 
Psyche  awakened  by  Cupid      .  „  92 


W'j» 


TO  PSrCHE 


I 


0  Goddess  !  hear  these  tuneless  numbers^  wrung 
By  sweet  enforcement  and  remembrance  dear^ 
And  pardon  that  thy  secrets  should  be  sung. 
Even  in  thine  own  soft-conched  ear: 

Surely  I  dreamt  to-day^  or  did  I  see 
The  winged  Psyche  with  awakened  eyes  ? 

1  wandered  in  a  forest  thoughtlessly, 
Andy  on  a  sudden^  fainting  with  surprise^ 
Saw  two  fair  creatures^  couched  side  by  side 
In  deepest grass^  beneath  the  whispering  roof 
Of  leaves  and  trembled  blossoms y  where  there  ran 
A  brooklet y  scarce  espied: 

'Mid  hush'dy  cool-rooted  flowers  fragrant-eyed^ 
BluCy  silver-whitCy  and  budded  Tyrian, 
They  lay  calm-breathing  on  the  bedded  grass  ; 
Their  arms  embraced^  and  their  pinions  to9  ; 
Their  lips  touch' d  not,  but  had  not  bade  adieu 
As  if  disjoined  by  soft-handed  slurnber. 
And  ready  still  past  kisses  to  outnumber 
At  tender  eye-dawn  of  aurorean  love: 
The  winged  boy  I  knew  ; 
But  who  wast  thou,  O  happy  happy  dove  ? 
His  Psyche  true  I 


O  latest-borfi  and  lovliest  vision  far 
Of  all  Olympus'  faded  hierarchy/ 
Fairer  thgn  Phoebe's  sapphire-region^ d  star. 
Or  Vesper,  amorous  glow-worm  of  the  sky  ; 


TO    PSYCHE 


TO    PSYCHE 


Fairer  then  these^  though  temple  thou  hast  none. 

Nor  altar  heap*d  with  Jlowers  ; 

Nor  Virgin-choir  to  make  delicious  moan 

Upon  the  midnight  hours  j 

No  voice^  no  lute^  no  pipe^  no  incense  sweet 

From  chain-swung  censer  teeming  ; 

No  shfinej  no  grove,  no  oracle,  no  heat 

Of  pale-mouth"  d  prophet  dreaming. 

0  brightest/  though  too  late  for  antique  vows, 
Tooy  too  late  for  the  fond  believing  lyre, 
When  holy  were  the  haunted  forest  boughs. 

Holy  the  air,  the  water ^  and  the  fire  ; 
Yet  even  in  these  days  so  far  retired 
From  happy  pieties,  thy  lucent  fans. 
Fluttering  among  the  faint  Olympians, 

1  see,  and  sing,  by  my  own  eyes  inspired. 
So  let  me  be  thy  choir,  and  make  a  moan 
Upon  the  midnight  hours  / 

Thy  voice,  thy  lute,  thy  pipe,  thy  incense  sweet 
From  swinged  censer  teeming: 
Thy  shrine,  thy  grove,  thy  oracle,  thy  heat 
Of  pale-mouth' d  prophet  dreaming. 

Yes,  I  will  be  thy  priest,  and  build  a  fane 
In  some  untrodden  region  of  my  mind, 

Where  branched  thoughts,  new-grown  with  pleasant 

pain. 
Instead  of  pines  shall  murmur  in  the  wind  : 
Far,  far  around  shall  those  dark-clustered  trees 
Fledge  the  wild-ridged  mountains  steep  by  steep  ; 
And  there  by  zephyrs,  streams^  and  birds  and  bees, 


' 


The  moss-lain  Dryads  shall  be  lull'd  to  sleep  ; 

And  in  the  midst  of  this  wide  quietness 

A  rosy  sanctuary  will  I  dress 
With  the  wreath' d  trellis  of  a  working  brain. 
With  buds,  and  bells,  and  stars  without  a  name. 
With  all  the  gardener  Fancy  e^er  could  feign. 
Who  breeding  fiowers,  will  never  breed  the  same  : 

And  there  shall  be  for  thee  all  soft  delight 

That  shadowy  thought  can  win, 

A  bright  torch,  and  a  casement  ope  at  night. 

To  let  the  warm  Love  in  ! 

JOHN  KEATS 


JStB*'' 


« 


i 


INTRODUCTION 

LUCIUS  APULEIUS  was  born 
_j  about  the  year  a.d.  114,  at 
Madaura,  a  city  on  the  borders 
of  Numidia  and  Gaetulia,  which  must 
not  be  confused  with  the  Numidian 
town  of  the  same  name,  which  is  now 
Ayedrah.  His  father,  who  was  an 
Italian,  had  settled  at  Madaura,  where 
he  attained  high  office  and  amassed 
a  considerable  fortune.  He  sent  his 
son  to  school  at  Carthage,  then  the 
second  city  of  the  world,  and  dying, 
bequeathed  him  his  fortune.  Lucius 
Apuleius  then  started  on  his  travels, 
and  spent  the  next  ten  years  of  his 
life  wandering  through  Greece,  Italy, 
and  the  East,  studying  rhetoric,  phi- 
losophy, and  especially  magic.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-five  he  returned  to 

ziti 


I 


INTRODUCTION 

Madaura  where  he  appears  to   have 
practised  as  a  barrister. 

Love  of  knowledge  soon  drove  him 
again  from  home,  and  he  started  for 
Alexandria.     The  cold  and  fatigue  of 
travelling   made   him   break    off    his 
journey  at  Tripolis,  where  he  met  and 
married  a  wealthy  widow,  considerably 
older  than  himself.     He  was  accused 
by  her  relatives  of  having  gained  her 
affections    through    magic,    but    was 
acquitted  after  having  delivered   the 
''Apology"   that  has  come  down  to 
us.     Soon  afterwards  he  went  to  Car- 
thage, where  he  attained  the  greatest 
renown,  both  as  m  pleader  and  as  a 
teacher  of  rhetoric.     Here  he  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  in  the  year 
A.D.  191,  about  the  age  of  seventy-six. 
Of  his  numerous  writings,  all  that 
have  come  down  to  us,  are  "The  God 
of  Socrates,"    "  The  Florida,"    "  The 

xiv 


INTRODUCTION 

Apology,"  '*  The  Doctrines  of  Plato," 
*'  Description  of  the  World,"  **  Ascle- 
pius,"  and  the  romance  "The  Meta- 
morphoses," or,  as  it  is  sometimes 
called,  with  very  little  reason,  **  The 
Golden  Ass." 

The  story  of  "The  Metamorphoses" 
tells  how  a  young  man  is  turned  by 
magic  into  an  ass.  With  the  loss  of 
his  human  form  he  loses  his  power 
of  speech,  but  retains  his  human 
intelligence.  In  the  course  of  his 
adventures  he  falls  into  the  hands  of 
a  band  of  robbers,  who  also  capture  a 
beautiful  maiden.  When  setting  out 
to  seek  further  booty,  the  robbers 
leave  the  maiden  and  the  ass  in  the 
charge  of  a  half-tipsy  old  woman. 
This  old  hag,  in  order  to  divert  the 
maiden's  thoughts  from  the  evils  of 
her  situation,  tells  her  the  following 
story. 


XV 


CUPID     AND     PSYCHE 


I 


H 


:i; 


ONCE  upon  a  time  there  lived 
in  a  certain  land  a  king  and 
queen  who  had  three  dauo^hters 
of  rare  loveliness.  Although  the  two 
elder  of  these  sisters  were  very  beauti- 
ful, yet  it  was  within  the  power  of 
human  tongue  to  sound  their  charms  ; 
but  the  beauty  of  the  youngest  was  so 
marvellous  and  dazzling  that  it  out- 
stripped all  human  praise  and  made  it 
halt  behind  her.  The  dwellers  in  this 
land  and  many  strangers,  drawn  by 
the  rumour  of  this  marvel,  came  in 
great  numbers  to  gaze,  and  gazing 
were  struck  into  such  wondering  ad- 
miration   t|iat    they   straightway   fell 

B 


h 


,x 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

down  and  worshipped  her,  as  if  she 
were  Venus  herself.  Already  the 
report  was  spreading  through  the 
neighbouring  cities  and  surrounding 
lands  that  the  Goddess  to  whom  the 
azure  deep  gave  birth,  and  who  was 
reared  among  the  foam  of  sea-spray, 
had  deigned  to  lay  aside  her  divinity 
and  mix  with  mortal  beings,  or,  at 
least,  that,  by  a  new  effect  of  the 
creative  influence  of  the  stars,  the 
earth,  and  not  the  sea,  had  brought 
forth  a  second  Venus,  with  her  same 
flower  of  virginity.  This  belief  spread 
widely  day  by  day,  from  neighbouring 
islands  to  countries  more  remote,  until 
her  fame  had  encircled  all  the  world. 
Now  multitudes  of  men,  by  long 
marches  and  by  ploughing  the  deep 
seas,  travelled  hither  to  behold  the 
glorious  wonder  of  the  age.  None 
journeyed  now  to  Paphos  or  to  Cnidos, 

2 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

nor  even  sailed  to  Cythera  to  worship 
at  the  shrine  of  Venus.  Her  sacri- 
fices were  suspended,  her  temples 
dishonoured,  her  thrones  trampled 
under  foot,  her  ceremonies  neglected, 
her  statues  uncrowned,  and  her  solitary 
altars  grimed  with  cold  ashes.  It  was 
to  a  mortal  maiden  they  offered  up 
their  prayers,  through  the  beauty  of  a 
mortal  face  they  adored  the  divinity 
of  the  mighty  Goddess ;  when,  in  the 
morning,  this  maiden  issued  forth, 
with  victims  and  with  feasts  they 
worshipped  the  name  of  the  absent 
Venus,  and  as  she  passed  through  the 
streets,  the  people,  gathering  together 
in  crowds,  cast  sprays  and  garlands 
before  her  feet. 

When  the  true  Venus  saw  the  sacred 
honours,  due  to  her,  paid  without  stint 
to  a  maiden,  fierce  rage  seized  upon 
her  and,  trembling  with  passion,  thus 

3  m 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

she  debated  with  herself.  "  Is  it  for 
me,  the  first  parent  of  all  Nature,  the 
prime  and  origin  of  all  the  world's 
elements ;  is  it  for  me,  Venus,  the 
great  Mother,  to  share  my  honours 
with  a  mortal  ?  Shall  my  fame,  whose 
foundations  are  in  heaven,  be  pro- 
faned by  the  mean  creatures  of  earth  ? 
Shall  I,  forsooth,  rest  content  with  the 
divided  honours  of  an  attenuated  god- 
head ?  Is  a  maiden,  by  her  nature 
foredoomed  to  death,  to  represent  me 
on  earth  ?  Was  it  for  this  that  the 
shepherd,  whose  judgment  great 
Jupiter  upheld,  preferred  my  charms 
before  those  of  the  two  puissant 
Goddesses?  But  whoever  she  be  that 
has  usurped  my  honours,  she  shall 
not  rejoice  for  long  ;  soon  shall  she 
curse  the  insolence  of  her  encroaching 
beauty." 


r 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

Forthwith  she  calls  to  her  side  her 
winged  son,  the  boy  who  with  his 
waywardness  and  evil  habits  mocks  all 
public  order,  who,  armed  with  torch 
and  arrow,  careers  at  night  through 
strange  houses,  breaking  with  im- 
punity all  marriage-bonds,  doing  all 
that  is  evil  and  nought  that  is  good ; 
whom,  though  raging  with  inborn 
lust,  she  excites  still  further  by  her 
words.  Now  she  brings  him  to  the 
city  and  shows  him  Psyche,  for  that 
was  the  maiden's  name.  Trembling 
with  passionate  indignation,  she  tells 
him  how  this  maiden's  beauty  rivalled 
her  own.  "I  pray  you,"  says  she,  *'by 
the  bonds  of  filial  love,  by  your  arrows* 
pleasant  wounds,  by  your  torchs 
honeyed  burning;  avenge  your  mother, 
ay,  avenge  her  to  the  full,  punish  well 
this  rebel  beauty,  do  this  my  one 
desire.     Let  her  burn  with  insatiate 


4- 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

love  for  the  meanest  of  mankind  ;  one 
wanting  both  birth  and  place,  one 
damned  by  Fortune,  one  so  mean 
that  in  all  the  world  his  fellow  cannot 
be  found." 

Thus  saying,  with  half- opened 
mouth,  she  showers  long  and  fervent 
kisses  on  her  son,  and  then  seeks  the 
nearest  shore  of  the  recoiling  sea, 
where  the  spray  of  the  curling  waves 
kisses  her  feet  Beholci  now  she 
reclines  on  the  deep  sea's  transparent 
breast  and  her  wishes,  carried  on  the 
wings  of  thought,  bring  speeding  to  her 
side  the  Spirits  of  the  sea.  Hither 
come  the  band  of  Nereus*  daughters, 
chanting  their  hymns  of  praise;  shaggy 
Portunus  with  green  beard ;  Salacia 
with  fishes  clinging  to  her  robe,  and 
little  Palaemon  who  rides  upon  a 
dolphin's  back.     Here  was  the  gather- 

6 


1 

11 


4) 


i 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

ing  of  Tritons,  who  range  the  whole 
sea  ;  some  blow  soft  tunes  through 
the  melodious  shell ;  some  with  a 
silken  veil  restrain  the  ardour  of  the 
importunate  sun,  one  holds  a  mirror 
before  the  eyes  of  his  mistress,  while 
others,  yoked  in  pairs,  are  the  horses 
of  her  chariot.  Such  is  the  train  of 
Venus  when  she  traverses  the  Ocean. 
Meanwhile  Psyche  gained  nought 
by  her  marvellous  beauty.  All  gazed 
on  her  and  extolled  her  loveliness,  but 
no  king,  no  son  of  royal  siege,  nor 
suitor  from  among  the  people,  came 
forward  to  ask  her  hand.  They 
praised  her  divine  loveliness,  but  only 
as  one  praises  a  statue  carved  with  a 
sculptor's  art.  Ere  this,  her  two 
sisters,  whose  lesser  charms  had 
gained  no  wide  renown,  had  wedded 
royal  suitors,  but  Psyche,  left  at  home 
alone,  wept  her  solitude,  and,  sick  in 

7 


i/ 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

mind  and  body,  loathed  the  beauty 
that  all  nations  praised.  The  sorrow- 
ing  father  of  this  unhappy  maiden, 
fearing  lest  the  curse  of  the  g^ods  had 
fallen  upon  them,  sought  the  ancient 
oracle  at  Miletus.  He  offered  prayers 
and  sacrifices  to  the  great  God,  and 
besought  a  marriage  and  a  husband 
for  his  daughter ;  but  thus  Apollo 
answered : 

*'  Conduct  your  dau§fhter  to  the  mountain  crag, 
Enshroud  her  in  the  garments  o(  the  grave, 
Nor  hope  to  find  a  son  of  mortal  stock  : 
A  Serpent  winged  shall  be  her  loathsome  mate, 
Who  sweeps  the  skies,  who  blasts  with  flaming 

tongue. 
Who  frights  the  Gods,   makes  tremble  Jove 

himself. 
And  scares  the  streams  and  Styx's  sombre  wave.** 

When  the  king,  who  hitherto  had 
lived  happily,  received  the  answer 
from  the  oracle,  he  returned  in 
anguish   to   his   palace   and   told  his 

8 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

queen     its     dreadful    bidding.      For 
many  days   they  moaned  and  wept; 
while    the  day  on   which   the   oracle 
must   be   obeyed   came   ever  nearer. 
Now   they   make    ready    the    bridal 
festival  of  the  wretched  maid,  but  the 
glow  of  the  torches  fades  away  into 
sooty  ashes,  the  sound  of  the  nuptial 
flute   is   changed    to  the   wail  of  the 
Lydian  measure,  the  joyous  marriage 
hymn  turns  to  a  mournful  dirge,  and 
the  betrothed  maiden  dries  her  tears 
even  with  her  marriage  veil,  and  the 
whole  land  mourns  the  fate   of  this 
afflicted  house. 

But  the  necessity  of  obeying  the  com- 
mands of  the  Gods  compels  the  unfor- 
tunate Psyche  to  prepare  for  her  doom. 
Sadly  they  make  ready  what  was  to 
be  both  her  bier  and  her  marriage- 
bed  ;  the  whole  people  follows  this 
living  funeral,   and   weeping    Psyche 

9 


I 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

attends,  not  her  marriage,  but  her 
burial.  Her  parents  hesitate  to  per- 
form this  awful  sacrifice,  but  their 
daughter  urges  them  with  these 
words  : 

•*  Why  do  you  torture  your  old  age 
with  endless  groans  ?  Why  shorten 
your  lives,  dearer  to  me  than  mine,  by 
repeated  lamentations?  Why  do  you 
redden  my  eyes  by  reddening  your 
own  with  useless  tears  ?  Why  do  you 
disfigure  those  features  that  are  so 
dear  to  me  ?  Why  do  you  tear  your 
silvered  hair  and  beat  your  venerable 
breasts  ?  This  is  the  glorious  reward 
of  my  beauty  so  prized  by  you. 
Cruel  jealousy  has  struck  you  a  deadly 
wound,  which  now  you  feel.  When 
the  nations  worshipped  me  with  divine 
honours,  when,  with  one  voice,  they 
hailed  me  as  a  second  Venus,  then 
should  you  have  sorrowed  then  should 

ID 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

you  have  wept  and  mourned  me  as 
one  snatched  from  your  arms.  Now 
I  feel,  now  I  know  it  was  because  of 
the  name  '  Venus '  that  I  perish. 
Lead  me  to  the  mountain  crag  that 
the  oracle  has  appointed  ;  I  am  im- 
patient to  fulfil  these  happy  nuptials ; 
I  am  impatient  to  see  my  noble 
spouse.  Why  should  I  loiter  ?  Why 
should  I  shun  the  coming  of  him  who 
was  born  to  be  the  destroyer  of  the 
whole  world?" 

With  this  she  said  no  more  and 
bravely  took  her  place  in  the  gather- 
ing throng,  and  all  wended  their  way 
to  the  pinnacle  of  the  mountain 
decreed  by  the  oracle.  On  its  top- 
most peak  they  abandoned  the  maiden 
to  her  fate,  leaving  behind  the 
nuptial  torches  that  had  lighted  their 
way,  and  which  their  tears   had  ex- 

II 


"'"t 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

tinguished,  with  downcast  faces  they 
sought  again  their  homes.  As  for 
the  sorrowing  parents,  heart-broken 
with  their  dreadful  loss,  they  shut 
themselves  up  in  their  palace  and 
gave  themselves  over  to  an  endless 
night.  But  as  Psyche  stood  on  the 
mountain  crag,  trembling  and  bewail- 
ing her  fate,  Zephyr's  breath  softened 
the  air,  ruffling  the  lappets  and  folds 
of  her  gown,  then  raising  her  softly, 
with  gentle  pressure  bore  her  forward, 
down  from  the  steep  rock's  summit 
into  a  deep  valley,  and  laid  her  in  a 
meadow's  flowery  lap. 


12 


11 


lYING  pleasantly  on  this  bed  of 
■  ^  soft  and  dewy  grass,  Psyche 
forgot  her  troubles,  and,  after  a 
refreshing  sleep,  rose  with  a  tranquil 
mind.  She  saw  a  grove  planted  with 
huge  and  lofty  trees  and  in  its  centre 
a  spring  transparent  as  crystal,  near 
which  a  royal  palace  rose,  built  by  no 
mortal  but  by  heavenly  hands,  whose 
very  entrance  showed  that  it  was  a 
god's  delectable  abode.  The  lofty 
ceiling,  in  cedar  and  ivory  curiously 
fretted,  rested  on  golden  pillars.  The 
walls  were  covered  with  silver  mould- 
ings, picturing  all  the  animals  of  the 
world.  Surely  a  man  of  cunning  art, 
a  demi-god,  nay,  in  sooth,  a  god  it 
was  that  wrought  this  massy  silver 
with  such  subtle  skill.     The  flooring 

13 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

was  a  mosaic  of  precious  stones  worked 
up  into  many  wondrous  pictures.  Oh, 
happy  and  thrice  happy  they  who 
walk  on  gems  and  jewels !  All  other 
parts  of  this  wide  and  spacious  palace 
were  costly  above  all  cost ;  the  walls 
of  massive  gold  shone  with  their  own 
light,  making  their  own  day,  all  care- 
less of  the  sun  ;  even  so  glittered  the 
rooms,  the  porches  and  the  doors : 
nor  was  the  rest  of  this  lordly  mansion 
less  richly  adorned  :  to  mortal  mind 
it  seemed  as  if  its  builder  must  have 
been  Jupiter  himself,  in  order  that  he 
might  dwell  among  mankind. 


Allured  by  its  beauty,  Psyche  draws 
nearer,  and  gathering  courage  steps 
across  the  threshold.  Fascinated  by 
the  sight  of  all  these  wonders,  sh% 
passes  from  one  to  the  other  and 
gazes  up  at  the  galleries  fashioned  in 

H 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

perfect  symmetry  and  with  golden 
lustre  richly  emblazed  ;  for  the  earth 
knows  no  treasure  that  had  not 
been  pressed  into  service.  But 
stranger  still  than  all  this  wealtlj^- 
there  were  no  bolts,  no  bars,  nor 
guardian  to  keep  watch  over  this 
treasure-house. 

While  she  stood  delighting  in  these 
wonders,  she  heard  a  voice  issuing 
from  the  void,  saying:  ''Wherefore, 
lady,  do  you  stand  amazed  at  these 
treasures.?  All  are  yours.  Enter, 
therefore,  into  your  apartment,  on  a 
couch  repair  your  wearied  powers,  and 
refresh  yourself  in  the  bath.  We 
whose  voices  you  hear,  are  your 
servants,  and  carefully  will  minister 
unto  you,  nor,  when  we  have  arrayed 
you,  will  you  have  to  wait  for  a  royal 
banquet." 

Psyche  felt  the  comfort  of  divine 

IS 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 


CUPID   AND  PSYCHE 


protection,  and,  guided  by  the  advice 
of  her  unseen  counsellors,  she  first  slept 
and  then  drove  away  her  weariness 
by  a  bath.  Suddenly  she  perceived 
near  her  a  semi-circular  table  furnished 
with  viands,  and  feeling  sure  it  was 
for  her  use,  she  sat  down  without 
hesitation.  Instantly  she  was  supplied 
with  wines  like  nectar  and  with  every 
kind  of  dish,  by  no  visible  agency  but 
as  if  borne  on  the  wind.  She  could 
see  no  one,  but  heard  words  in  the  air 
and  was  served  only  by  voices.-  After 
a  superb  banquet,  an  invisible  singer 
entered  and  sang,  while  an  unseen 
player  touched  her  lyre.  Then  the 
music  of  a  choir  crept  upon  her  ear ; 
but  no  human  being  appeared. 


on,  and  then  she  heard  a  gende  noise. 
In  such  a  solitude  Psyche  feared  for 
her  virginity,  and  feared  the  more 
because  she  knew  not  what  she 
feared.  Then  came  to  her  couch 
the  unknown  bridegroom  and  made 
Psyche  his  wife  ;  but  before  dawn  he 
disappeared.  Immediately  the  voices 
came  and  attended  upon  the  young 
bride  who  had  lost  her  maidenhood. 
In  this  way  things  went  on  for  a  long 
while  ;  by  habit  this  new  life  became 
sweet,  and  the  sound  of  the  mysterious 
voices  became  the  solace  of  her  lone- 
liness. 


h 


When  these  delights  had  ended  and 
evening  was  drawing  near.  Psyche 
sought  her  couch.     Soon  night  came 

i6 


17 


Ill 


IN  the  meanwhile  her  parents  grew 
old  in  the  sorrow  that  nothing 
could  assuage.  The  story  of  her 
fate  was  spread  abroad,  and  when  it 
reached  her  sisters'  ears,  they  hastened 
to  the  lonely  hearth  of  their  parents 
to  try  to  comfort  them.  That  same 
night  Psyche's  husband  said  to  her 
(for  though  she  could  not  see  him, 
yet  she  could  hear  his  voice  and  feel 
the  pressure  of  his  limbs) ;  "  Dearly 
loved  wife,  cruel  fate  threatens  you 
with  a  great  danger,  which  only  by 
great  caution  can  you  escape.  Your 
sisters,  mourning  your  death,  are  seek- 
ing traces  of  you,  and  soon  will  reach 
the  mountain  crag.  If  by  chance  you 
hear  their  lamentations,  do  not  speak 
to  them,  and  under  no  circumstances 

i8 


f^ 


CUPID   AND  PSYCHE 

look  on  them ;  else  will  you  bring 
great  sorrow  upon  me  and  utter  ruin 
upon  yourself." 

Psyche  bowed  her  head  and  pro- 
mised her  husband  that  she  would 
obey  his  wishes.  But,  as  soon  as 
night  had  passed,  she  spent  the  day 
in  tears  and  dejection,  complaining 
that  she  was  more  than  ever  lost,  close 
confined  in  a  prison  of  marvels  and 
bereft  of  all  human  intercourse,  unable 
to  carry  consolation  to  her  sisters 
when  they  wept  over  her ;  nor  even 
able  to  see  them.  Refreshed  neither 
by  bath  nor  food,  in  tears  she  sought 
her  bed.  A  moment  later  her  husband 
came,  earlier  than  his  wont,  and  em- 
bracing her,  all  tears,  uttered  his 
reproach  :  "  Is  it  thus  that  you  are 
keeping  your  promises  ?  What  then 
can  your  husband  expect  or  hope  of 

19  C2 


' 


I 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

you?  By  day,  by  night,  even  when 
in  the  arms  of  your  lover,  you  do  not 
cease  your  tears.  Ah  well !  Hence- 
forth do  as  you  will,  listen  to  the 
desires  that  will  lead  you  to  your 
ruin :  but  you  will  remember  my 
warning  when,  too  late,  you  begin  to 
repent." 

Then,  by  prayers  and  by  threatening 
to  slay  herself,  she  extorted  permission 
from  her  husband  to  see  her  sisters  in 
order  to  embrace  them  and  to  calm 
their  grief:  and  he,  over-persuaded 
by  the  entreaties  of  his  bride,  gave 
way,  and  also  permitted  her  to  give 
them  what  gold  and  gems  she  would. 
But  at  the  same  time  he  warned  her 
not  to  be  misled  by  the  evil  counsels 
of  her  sisters,  and  seek  to  view  her 
husband's  form,  lest  her  unholy 
curiosity  should  cast  her  down  from 
her  height  of  pleasure,  and  for  ever 

20 


4 1 


%i 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

prevent  the  renewal  of  their  embraces. 
With  liorhtened  heart  she  thanked  her 
husband  :  "  Rather,"  she  said,  "would 
I  die  a  hundred  deaths  than  break 
our  sweet  bonds  :  for  I  love  you  so 
tenderly  :  I  love  you  whoever  you 
are,  more  than  very  life  nor  would  I 
change  you  for  Cupid  himself.  Add 
one  more  boon  to  my  prayers,  and 
command  your  servant  Zephyr  to 
bring  my  sisters  here  to  me  in  the 
same  way  that  I  was  brought."  Press- 
ing luxurious  kisses  on  him,  whispering 
soft  words  and  intertwining  her  limbs, 
she  wooed  him  with  passionate 
caresses.  He  fell,  conquered  by  the 
power  of  love,  and  promised  all. 
Then  at  the  approach  of  dawn  he 
slipped  from  the  arms  of  his  bride. 

The  two  sisters,  having  learnt  the 
way  to  the  crag  on  which  Psyche  had 

21 


t 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

been  left,  hastened  thither,  and  there 
they  wept  and  mourned  :  while  the 
rocks  echoed  back  their  lamentations. 
As  they  cried  aloud  on  the  name  of 
their  unfortunate  sister  the  sound  of 
their  voices  travelled  down  into  the 
valley,  and  Psyche,  beside  herself  with 
joy,  rushed  out  from  her  palace  and 
cried  :  **  Why  do  you  torture  your- 
selves with  needless  woe  ?  She  whom 
you  mourn  is  here.  End  your  plaints 
and  dry  your  tear-washed  cheeks,  and 
now,  since  you  can,  fold  in  your  arms 
the  sister  who  has  caused  your  tears." 
Then  she  called  Zephyr,  and  told 
him  her  husband's  order.  At  once, 
obedient  to  command,  he  raised  them 
on  a  gentle  breeze  and  carried  them 
along  without  harm.  Now  they  em 
braced  with  oft-repeated  kisses  ;  and 
their  tears,  so  lately  dried,  flowed 
again   from  joy.     **  But    enter,"   she 

22 


4*» 


«.% 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

said,  *' my  home,  and,  in  company 
with  your  Psyche,  drive  away  all 
remains  of  your  sorrow."  Thus  say- 
ing, she  showed  them  the  palace 
prodigal  in  gold  and  treasure,  she 
called  their  attention  to  the  minister- 
ing voices,  and  then  she  refreshed 
them  with  a  sumptuous  bath  and  an 
abundant  and  godlike  feast.  When, 
however,  their  wonder  at  all  these 
marvels  began  to  wear  off,  envy  was 
born  in  their  hearts.  One  of  them 
would  not  leave  off  her  pryingquestions 
as  to  who  was  the  lord  of  this  celestial 
abode,  who  and  what  was  her  husband. 
But  Psyche  would  not  disobey  her 
husband's  command,  and  kept  her 
secret.  She  made  up  a  story  that  he 
was  a  beautiful  youth  with  cheeks 
covered  with  down,  who  was,  for  the 
most  part,  occupied  in  hunting  over 
the  plains  and  mountains.     And  then, 

23 


71 


CUPID   AND  PSYCHE 

lest  in  a  long  conversation  she  might 
betray  her  secret,  she  loaded  them 
with  precious  gifts,  and  called  Zephyr 
to  convey  them  back. 

The  two  sisters  returned  home,  and, 
already  pricked  on  by  the  bitter  gall 
of  envy,  debated  with  each  other.  At 
last  one  ended  by  saying  :  '*  Fortune, 
how  cruel  and  unjust  you  are!  For 
what  reason  has  it  pleased  you  that, 
daughters  of  the  same  parents,  we 
should  meet  with  such  different 
destinies  ?  We,  who  are  the  eldest, 
were  married  to  husbands  who  were 
strangers,  and  whose  servants  we  are  ; 
we  live  banished  from  our  home  and 
our  parents,  as  if  exiles  :  but  this,  the 
youngest,  the  child  born  in  a  satiated 
bed,  has  all  this  wealth  and  a  divine 
husband,  she  who  does  not  know  how 
to  use  rightly  all  this  abundance  !  Did 
you  see,  sister,  what  jewels  there  were 


7 


/ 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

in  the  palace,  how  her  clothing  shone, 
how  the  gems  glittered,  how  she 
walked  on  gold  ?  What !  if  she  also 
has  a  husband  as  beautiful  as  she  says 
he  is,  no  one  in  the  world  is  more  for- 
tunate. Perhaps,  when  his  affection  has 
been  deepened  by  intimacy,  her  divine 
husband  will  make  her  a  goddess.  By 
Hercules,  that  is  it,  for  so  she  bore 
herself  and  walked.  Though  still  a 
woman  she  looks  aloft  and  aims  at 
divinity,  she  who  has  voices  for 
servants,  and  compels  the  very  winds. 
But  I,  poor  wretch  !  Fate  has  given 
me  a  husband  older  than  my  father, 
balder  than  a  pumpkin,  a  boy  in  stature, 
and  who  keeps  the  whole  house  under 
lock  and  key."  Then  followed  the 
other,  *'  I  endure  a  husband  bent 
double  with  gout,  and  who,  for  this 
reason,  can  but  rarely  offer  up  a  lover's 
dues  :  I  spend  most  of  my  time  rub- 

25 


f% 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

bing  his  hands,  crippled  and  hardened 
with  chalkstones,  making  my  once 
delicate  hands  all  chapped  and  hard 
by  preparing  evil-smelling  poultices, 
by  touching  the  filthy  bandages  and 
foetid  cataplasms  :  I  do  not  fulfil  the 
gentle  duties  of  a  wife,  but  the  arduous 
labours  of  a  nurse.  That  you,  sister, 
should  see  all  this — you  who  bear 
patiently  so  much  suffering,  or  to 
speak  plainly,  such  slavery!  As  for 
me,  I  can  no  longer  bear  to  see  such 
good  fortune  fall  on  one  so  unworthy. 
Just  think  with  what  pride  and 
arrogance  she  treated  us  ;  how  with 
her  insolent  airs  she  disclosed  a  mind 
fraught  with  vanity,  how  out  of  all 
these  riches  she  unwillingly  threw  us 
a  few  poor  presents,  and  then,  wearied 
by  our  company,  she  ordered  us  to  be 
caught  up  and  whisked  away  on  the 
wind.     I  am  no  woman,  if,  as  I  live, 

26 


1 


*l 


i 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

I  do  not  drag  her  down  to  the  ground, 

and   if,    as    I    expect,    you    feel    as 

annoyed   as    I    do  at  the  affront  we 

have  received,  let  us  put  our   heads 

together  to   pay  her   out.      For  one 

thing,    it  is   not    necessary  that    we 

should  show   the  presents    we   have 

received,  either  to  our  parents  or  to 

any  one  else,  or  to  tell  them  we  are 

quite  sure  of  her  safety.     It   is  bad 

enough    to    have   seen   those  things 

which  it  has  pained  us  to  see,  without 

having  to  tell  our  parents  and  all  the 

people  of  her  happy  state ;    not  that 

she  can  be  really  happy  when  she  has 

no   one  before  whom  she  can  flaunt 

her  wealth.     Ah  !  young  w^oman,  you 

shall   learn   that   we   are    your   elder 

sisters,    and   not   your   slaves.     Now 

indeed    we    may     go    back    to     our 

husbands  and  our  humble  hearths,  but 

when  we  have  fully  thought  out  our 

27 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

plans  we  will  return  to  punish  your 
arrogance."  This  evil  project  pleased 
these  two  wicked  sisters :  they  hid 
the  costly  gifts  they  had  received,  and 
then,  as  if  they  had  been  weeping, 
they  scratched  their  faces  and  let  fall 
deceitful  tears.  Then,  when  they  had 
made  their  parents'  grief  bleed  again, 
they  went  away  and,  raging  with 
jealousy,  they  sought  their  own 
homes,  there  to  plan  some  cruel 
scheme  for  the  ruin  or  death  of  their 
innocent  sister. 


I 


During  their  nightly  interviews 
Psyche  received  fresh  warnings  from 
her  mysterious  husband :  *'  Do  you 
not  see  what  dangers  fortune  is  pre- 
paring for  you  in  the  future  ?  And  if 
you  do  not  arm  yourself  betimes,  they 
will  close  in  upon  you.  Those  false 
hags  are  straining  every  nerve  to  get 

28 


1  w 


I 

1 


^f 


CUPID   AND  PSYCHE 

you  into  their  clutches :  their  chief 
wile  is  to  get  you  to  see  my  face, 
which,  as  I  have  often  told  you,  if  you 
see  it  once  you  will  never  see  again. 
Therefore  if  these  horrid  witches, 
armed  with  their  hate,  come  again — 
and  that  they  will  come  I  know — 
avoid  them  altogether,  or,  if  through 
tenderness  and  affection  you  cannot 
do  this,  neither  listen  to  nor  answer 
any  remarks  about  your  husband. 
Here  we  will  rear  a  family,  and  here 
your  childish  womb  shall  bring  forth 
another  child,  destined,  if  you  keep 
our  secret,  to  be  a  god,  if  you  break 
it,  to  be  a  mortal." 

Psyche  grew  glad  at  these  tidings  ; 
she  rejoiced  in  the  hope  of  a  divine 
child  to  lighten  her  loneliness  and 
gloried  in  name  and  dignity  of 
motherhood.    Impatiently  she  counted 

29 


t 


I 


. 


If 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

the  days  and  months  as  they  passed : 
she  wondered  at  the  strange  load  she 
carried  when  her  fertile  womb  grew 
big.      But   alas,    these   two   pestilent 
furies,  breathing  the  black  poison  of 
vipers,  were  hastening  on  their   im- 
pious   errand.      Then    the    transient 
husband  once  more  warned    Psyche. 
'*  Now   are   we   at  the  last  day  and 
have  reached  the  last  fatal  moment  : 
now  jealous  hatred  has  armed  herself, 
has  sounded  her  alarum  and  marches 
on  to  battle,  now,  with  drawn  sword, 
your  sisters  seek  to  slay  you.     Alas  ! 
dearest    Psyche,    with    what    dangers 
are   we   surrounded !     Take   pity  on 
yourself  and  on  me,  guard  well  your 
secret   so   that   you   may    not    bring 
sorrow  on  your  husband,  yourself,  and 
our  still  unborn  child.     These  impious 
women,  who  in  their  murderous  hate 
towards  you  would  trample  under  foot 

30 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

the  ties  of  blood,  are  no  longer  worthy 
to  be  called  sisters.  Take  care  that 
you  neither  see  nor  listen  to  them, 
when,  like  Sirens,  their  hateful  voices 
echo  from  the  mountain  crags." 

Psyche  answered,  sighing  and  in 
tearful  voice,  "  You  have  long  had 
proof  of  my  faithfulness  and  discre- 
tion and  in  this  fresh  trial  I  will  show 
you  once  more  the  firmness  of  my 
character.  Only  order  Zephyr  to 
fulfil  his  duties  quickly,  and  as  the 
sight  of  your  divine  face  is  denied  me, 
let  me  at  least  see  my  sisters.  This 
I  beseech  you  by  your  flowing  and 
perfumed  locks,  by  your  cheeks  as 
smooth  and  rounded  as  mine,  by  your 
breast  warm  with  its  mysterious  heat. 
As  I  hope  to  see  your  features  in  our 
child,  be  moved  by  my  entreaties, 
allow  me  to  embrace  my  sisters,  and 
make  happy  your  Psyche,  who  lives 

31 


I 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

for  you  alone.  I  do  not  ask  to  see 
your  face,  nor  do  the  shades  of  night 
oppress  me  now :  I  have  you,  the 
light  of  my  world."  The  husband, 
overcome  by  her  soft  embraces,  dried 
her  tears  with  his  hair,  acceded  to  her 
requests;  and  then  by  flight  prevented 
the  light  of  the  dawning  day. 

Having  arranged  their  plot,  the  two 
sisters,  as  soon  as  they  reached  the 
land,  made  straight  for  the  pinnacle, 
without  tarrying  to  visit  their  parents, 
nor  did  they  even  await  the  coming 
of  the  wind,  but  insolently  threw 
themselves  into  space.  Zephyr,  re- 
membering the  commands  of  his  king, 
caught  them,  although  unwillingly,  on 
the  lap  of  a  breeze,  and  brought  them 
safely  down  to  the  earth.  Hastening 
to  the  palace,  they  embraced  their 
prey,  calling  themselves,    with  lying 

32 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

tongues,  her  loving  sisters.  Then 
hiding,  under  smiling  faces,  hearts 
overflowing  with  guile,  they  spoke 
loving  words :  *'  Psyche,  you  are  no 
longer  a  little  girl,  but  soon  to  be  a 
mother.  Think  what  a  treasure  you 
are  carrying  in  your  womb!  What  joy 
you  will  bring  to  our  house !  How 
happy  shall  we  be  to  help  rear  this 
glorious  child,  who  should  be  another 
Cupid,  if,  as  he  is  sure  to  do,  he  takes 
after  his  parents." 

Thus,  little  by  little,  they  dupe  their 
sister  with  their  deceitful  endearments. 
To  rest  them  after  their  journey  she 
places  seats  for  them,  prepares  them 
steaming  baths,  and  entertains  them 
with  a  feast  of  rare  and  pleasant  dishes. 
She  orders  the  lutes  to  play,  the  pipes 
to  sound,  the  choirs  to  sing :  and  with 
tenderest     melodies     these     invisible 

33  D 


i 
1 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

players  soothe  the  spirits  of  their 
hearers.  Such,  however,  was  the 
wickedness  of  the  two  sisters  that 
no  honeyed  notes  could  soften  their 
hearts,  but  they  direct  all  their  con- 
versation with  a  view  of  entangling 
their  sister  in  their  nets,  and  begin  to 
enquire  who  and  of  what  family  and 
condition  was  her  husband.  Psyche, 
in  her  simplicity  forgetting  the  story 
she  had  previously  told,  makes  up  a 
fresh  tale ;  she  says  her  husband  is 
from  a  neighbouring  province,  en- 
gaged in  commerce,  of  middle  age, 
with  hair  just  beginning  to  whiten  : 
then,  not  wishing  to  prolong  this 
conversation  she  loads  them  with 
presents,  and  sends  them  back  in 
their  aerial  chariot. 


When,  carried  by  Zephyr's  gentle 
breeze,  they  arrived  home,  they  spoke 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

thus  together  :    '*  What,  sister,    shall 
we  think  of  that  simpleton's  monstrous 
lies  ?     Yesterday  he  was  a  youth  with 
downy    cheeks,  now    a    middle-aged 
man  turning  grey.     What  manner  of 
man  can  he  be  who  has  grown  old  so 
suddenly?     Sister,  it  must  either  be 
that  this  lying  woman  deceives  us,  or 
that  she  does  not  know  her  husband's 
face.     Whichever  of  these   two  con- 
jectures holds  the  truth,  she  must  be 
driven  from  her  present  state.     If  she 
does  not  know  her  husband's  face,  it 
must  be  a  god  whom  she  has  married, 
and  of  a  god  is  she  pregnant.     Cer- 
tainly will  I  hang  myself,  if  ever  she 
is  proclaimed  the  mother  of  a  god — 
which  Heaven  forbid !     Let  us  go  to 
our   parents,  and  let  us  devise  some 
scheme   which    will   fit    in    with  our 
present  conversation." 

Burning    with    envy,    they    could 

3S  ^^ 


I; 
1 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

scarcely  speak  to  their  parents,  and 
through   the   night    they    tossed    on 
sleepless  beds.     In  the  morning  they 
hastened  to  the  rock,  and,  by  the  now 
habitual    help    of    the    breeze,    they 
flew  quickly   through  the  air.     They 
rubbed  their  eyes  to  bring  forth  tears, 
and,  full  of  guile,  they  called  for  the 
girl.     "  You    live    happily    and  con- 
tentedly, ignorant  and  incurious  of  the 
great  evil  and  danger  that  surrounds 
you.     But,  we,  who  have  been  keep- 
ing   a    sleepless     watch    over     your 
fortunes,    are   heart-broken    at   your 
peril.     For  we  have  made  a  discovery 
the  truth  of  which  is  beyond  dispute, 
and  which  we,  who  are  companions  in 
all  your  sorrow  and  misfortune,  dare 
not    hide    from    you.      An  immense 
serpent  with   many   coils,  with  fangs 
full  of  poison,  with  maw  unfathomable 
and  terrible,  each  night  lies  sleeping 

36 


^ 


\ 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

by  your  side.     Remember  the  Pythian 
oracle,  who  proclaimed  you  the  bnde 
of   a   cruel    monster.     Many   of    the 
husbandmen  who  hunt  the  neighbour- 
hood, and   many   of  our    neighbours, 
have  seen  him  in  the  evening  when 
he  has  returned  from  the  pasture,  and 
is  bathing   in    the    adjacent   stream. 
Thev  all  believe  that  he  will  not  long 
allow  you  to  revel  in  this  life  of  sweet- 
ness, but  as  soon  as  you  are  at  your 
full  reckoning  he  will  devour  you  like 
a  ripened  fruit.      Make  your  choice ; 
either  take  the  advice  of  your  sisters, 
whose  whole  care  is  your  safety,  and 
by  flying  death,  live  with  us  free  from 
all  danger,  or  find  your  tomb  in  the 
bowels  of  this  most  savage  monster. 
But  of  course,  if  the   silence  of  this 
land,  broken  only  by  these  mysterious 
voices,  if  this  foul,  secret  and  danger- 
ous amour,  and  the  embraces  of  this 

37 


h 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

poisonous  reptile  please  you,  we,  your 
loving  sisters,  can  do  no  more  :  by 
advising  you  we  have  done  our 
duty." 

Poor    Psyche,  her  simple   trusting 
heart   is  overcome  by  these  dreadful 
prophecies,    and    she    loses    all    her 
presence  of  mind.     She  forgets  all  her 
husband's  warnings  and  all  her  pro- 
mises.    She  throws  herself  headlong 
into   this  sea  of    trouble  ;    pale    and 
trembling,    she    speaks    in    faltering 
tones.       "  Indeed,    you     have    been 
loving  sisters  to  me  ;    what  you  tell 
me   is  no  doubt  true.     I  have  never 
seen  my  husband's  face,   nor  have  I 
any    idea   from    what   country   he    is 
sprung ;    only  at   night    I    hear   the 
murmur   of  his   voice.     I  embrace  a 
husband  whose  position  in  life  I  do 
not  know,  and  who  always  flies  from 

38 


<« 


( 


ff 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

me  before  the  dawn.    I  believe  you  say 
righdy  that  he  is  some  monster,  for  he 
is  always  in  the  greatest  fear  lest   I 
should   see   his   face,  and  fortells  the 
greatest    evils,    should  I   succumb  to 
my   curiosity.     If  you    can    help    to 
rescue  your  sister,  fenced  round  with 
danger,  come  now  to  her  aid  :  for  it 
would  be  worse   than   useless  if  you 
have  told  me  of  a  danger  from  which, 
even    with    your    help,  I    cannot    be 
delivered." 

Now  that  they  had  discovered  the 
whole  of  their  sister's  secret  these 
wicked  women  make  haste  to  fulfil 
their  infamous  intentions.  One  of 
them  says  to  her :  "  The  bond  of 
sisterhood  compelled  us  to  seek  out 
every  road  that  could  lead  to  your 
safety:  after  deepest  thought,  we 
have  found  one,  which  we  will  point 

39 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

out  to  you.  Take  the  sharpest  knife 
'  you  can  find,  strop  it  on  the  palm  of 
your  hand,  and  hide  it  in  the  part  of 
the  bed  where  you  usually  He  :  then 
take  a  lamp  well  filled  with  oil,  so  that 
it  may  burn  brightly,  and  place  it 
somewhere  behind  the  curtains.  All 
this  you  must  do  secretly.  Then 
when,  according  to  his  wont,  with 
trailing  step  this  monster  has  reached 
the  bed,  and  is  chained  in  deep  sleep, 
slip  out  of  the  bed,  on  tip-toe,  and 
with  naked  foot,  take  the  lamp  from 
its  hiding-place,  and  use  its  light  to 
help  you  in  your  great  enterprise. 
Seize  your  two-edged  weapon,  raise 
high  your  hand,  and  with  a  blow 
sever  the  head  from  the  shoulders  of 
this  poisonous  reptile.  We  will  be  at 
hand  to  help,  and  as  soon  as  you  have 
gained  safety  by  his  death,  we  will 
attend  you,  and  will   carry  you   and 

AO 


li 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

your  riches  to  your  friends,  where  we 
will  find  you  a  husband  among  human 
creatures."  Having  by  these  words 
enhanced  their  sister's  dismay,  they  at 
once  leave  her  :  fearing  to  stay  near 
the  scene  of  the  intended  crime.  The 
wonted  breeze  carries  them  safely  to 
the  rock,  from  thence  they  quickly  de- 
scend, and  taking  ship,  they  sail  away. 

But  Psyche  is  left  all  alone,  unless 
to  be  racked  with  all  the  anguish  of 
despair  is  to  be  in  company.  Her 
thoughts  rise  and  fall,  like  the  waves 
on  a  stormy  sea.  First,  with  fierce 
mind,  her  hands  make  ready  the 
instruments  of  crime  ;  then  she  falters 
with  wavering  heart.  She  makes 
feverish  haste,  she  stands  with  idle 
hands,  she  scorns  all  danger,  she 
trembles,  she  weeps,  she  is  enraged ; 
for  she   hates  the  monster,    but   she 


'5*  t 


I- 


I 


IT  J 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

loves  the  husband.  Evening,  how- 
ever, approaches,  touching  everything 
with  its  shadows,  and  she  hastens 
to  prepare  the  means  of  her  odious 
misdeed  ;  then  night  comes  on,  bring- 
ing the  bridegroom  in  its  train,  who, 
after  some  amorous  dalliance,  falls 
into  a  deep  sleep. 

Then  Psyche,  hitherto  so  gentle  in 
mind  and  body,  is  driven  by  the  force 
of  savage  fate  :  gathering  strength, 
she  seizes  the  lamp  and  knife :  her 
courage  conquering  her  sex.  The 
first  ray  of  light  that  falls  on  the 
bed  discovers  its  secret.  There  she 
sees  the  sweetest  and  most  docile  of 
monsters:  Cupid  himself,  the  comeliest 
of  the  gods,  lying  clothed  in  all  his 
beauty.  At  this  sight  the  lamp  itself 
shone  more  brightly,  and  the  knife 
was  ashamed  of  its  accursed  edge. 
But  Psyche,  nearly  frightened  to  death 


I 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

at  this  sight,  loses  all  presence  of 
mind :  blanched  and  trembling  she 
falls  on  her  knees,  and  seeks  in  her 
own  bosom,  to  sheathe  the  dagger's 
blade  ;  which  straightway  would  she 
have  done,  had  not  her  fear  made  the 
weapon  slip  from  her  nerveless  hand. 
But  although  now  weakened  and 
without  defence,  the  sight  of  his  god- 
like face  strengthens  her  mind  and 
comforts  her  heart.  She  sees  those 
radiant  locks,  ambrosia-scented,  the 
milk-white  neck,  the  damask  cheek 
over  which  wander  those  glorious  curls 
whose  brilliancy  makes  the  lamp's 
light  tremble.  His  wings,  sparkling 
with  dew  and  gleaming  with  the 
whiteness  of  the  lily,  are  folded  at  his 
shoulders,  their  delicate  points  moving 
gently  with  the  wind.  The  rest  of 
his  body  smooth  and  clear,  and  such 
that  Venus  had  no  need  to  blush  for 

43 


V 


L 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

having  borne  him.  At  the  foot  of  the 
bed  He  the  bow  and  arrowed  quiver, 
the  great  god's  pleasant  weapons. 

Curiosity  seizes  on  Psyche ;  she 
touches  and  wonders  at  her  husband's 
weapons.  She  draws  an  arrow  out  of 
the  quiver  and  tries  the  point  with  the 
tip  of  her  thumb,  but  the  trembling 
of  her  hand  causes  her  to  prick  too 
deeply,  and  a  few  beads  of  rosy  blood 
ooze  out  through  the  skin.  Thus 
Psyche  all  unwittingly  falls  in  love 
with  Love  and  burns  for  him  more 
and  more.  Breathless  and  craving 
she  bends  over  him,  and,  although 
she  fears  to  break  his  slumbers,  she 
showers  on  him  her  passionate  and 
burnmg  kisses.  But  while  her  ex- 
cited mind  is  all  aglow  with  these 
delights,  the  lamp — whether  through 
the  blackest  perfidy,  or  hateful  jealousy, 
or  whether  it   longed   to   touch  that 

44 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

beautiful  form  as  if  to  kiss  it — from 
its  flame  lets  fall  a  drop  of  burning 
oil  on  the  god's  right  shoulder.  Oh  I 
reckless  and  accursed  lamp,  unworthy 
minister  of  love.  You  burn  the  god 
who  burns  all  others.  Was  it  not  a 
lover  who  first  invented  you,  so  that 
he  might  prolong  his  pleasures,  even 
into  the  night .? 

The  god,  burnt  by  the  oil,  starts  up 
from  his  sleep  and,  seeing  his  secret 
so  shamefully  betrayed,  tries  to  fly  in 
silence  from  the  presence  of  his  un- 
happy wife  :  but  Psyche,  as  he  rises, 
clings  to  his  knees  with  both  hands. 
She  clings  to  him  in  agony  as  he 
pursues  his  skyward  course  until,  tired 
out,  she  lets  go  and  falls  to  the  earth. 
The  god  would  not  leave  her  lying 
there  on  the  ground,  and  alights  on 
the    top   of  a    neighbouring   cypress, 

45 


B 


ri 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

and  from  its  height  speaks  to  her 
in  deep  sadness.  **  Psyche,  foolish 
Psyche,  I  forgot  the  orders  of  my 
mother  Venus,  who  commanded  me 
to  strike  you  with  an  infatuation  for 
the  meanest  and  most  wretched  of 
men,  instead  of  which  I  myself  be- 
came your  lover.  I  see  now  how 
foolishly  I  acted,  how  I,  renowned  for 
my  arrow,  was  wounded  by  my  own 
weapon.  I  made  you  my  wife  :  how 
could  I  have  seemed  such  a  monster 
to  you  that  you  would  have  cut  off 
the  head  of  him  whose  eyes  were  lit 
up  with  love  for  you?  How  often  I 
told  you  to  be  ever  on  the  watch ! 
How  often  I  warned  youf  Your  evil 
advisers  shall  receive  their  reward  for 
their  wicked  counsel,  my  flight  will 
be  sufficient  punishment  for  you." 
Ending  with  these  words,  he  spreads 
his  wings  and  flies  away. 


ii^ 


f 


P 


IV 

SYCHE,  prone  on  the  ground, 
with    breaking   heart   followed 
with   her   eyes   her   husbands 
flight  as  far  as  she  could  see.     When 
the  oarage  of  his  wings  had  carried 
him    out   of  sight,   she  threw  herself 
headlong  into  a  river  that  ran  close 
by.       But    the    merciful     stream,    in 
honour  of  the  god  who  could  inflame 
even    the    waters,    and  also  through 
fear  of  his  vengeance,  caught  her  up 
in  the  lap  of  a  gentle  wave  and  threw 
her    unharmed    on    its    grass-grown 
bank.     By  chance  Pan  was  sitting  on 
a  hillock  close  by  the  stream,  embrac- 
ing  Echo,    the     mountain    goddess, 
whom    he    was     teaching    to    repeat 
every  kind  of  song.     Near  the  bank 
gambolled  the  goats  who  browsed  on 

47 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

the  herbage  that  fringed  the  stream. 
The    goat-legged    god    saw    Psyche 
bowed  down  in  sorrow,  and,  knowing 
the  cause  of  her  suffering,  with  gentle 
words  called  her  to  his  side.     **  Poor 
child,  although  I  am  but  uncouth  and 
clownish,  age  has  brought  me  much 
knowledge.     Unless  my   conjectures, 
which  wise  men  say  are  as  good  as 
divination,  are  wrong,    your  wander- 
ing and  uncertain  footsteps,  your  pale 
cheek,  your  heart-drawn   sighs,  your 
eyes  flooded  with    tears,    disclose  an 
untoward  love.     Listen  to  mv  words  : 
do  not  try  to  throw  yourself  from  a 
precipice,  nor  by  any  other  means  to 
seek  a  violent  death.     Dry  your  tears 
and  pursue  Cupid,  the  greatest  of  the 
gods,    with    your    prayers,  for  he  is 
young   and   voluptuous   and   may  be 
persuaded  by  your  charms." 


48 


"11 

ff 
I 


CUPID   AND  PSYCHE 

Psyche  did  not  reply  to  the  rustic 
god :  but  honouring  him  as  a  pro- 
pitious divinity  she  went  her  way. 
Footsore  and  weary,  she  wandered  for 
some  time  until,  after  having  gone 
along  an  unknown  path  she  came  to 
the  city  over  which  reigned  the 
husband  of  one  of  her  sisters.  As 
soon  as  she  discovered  where  she  was, 
Psyche  made  known  her  presence  to 
her  sister.  After  they  had  met  and 
had  embraced,  the  sister  began  to  ask 
Psyche  the  reason  of  her  coming,  who 
said  :  '*  You  remember  you  persuaded 
me  that  a  monster,  assuming  the  name 
of  husband,  slept  by  my  side,  and  that 
I  ought  to  kill  him  with  my  knife 
before  he  swallowed  me  up  in  his 
gluttonous  maw  ?  But  when,  having 
taken  your  advice,  I  first  looked  on 
his  face  by  the  aid  of  the  guilty  lamp, 
I  saw  a  sight  marvellous  and  divine, 

49  E 


j 


CUFID   AND   PSYCHE 

the  son  of  Venus,  yes,  I  tell  you,  it 
was  he,  Cupid,  lying  in  sweet,  quiet 
sleep.  Excited  by  the  beauty  of  this 
spectacle,  and  filled  with  desire,  I  could 
not  contain  my  tumultuous  passion. 
By  a  cursed  chance,  the  lamp  let  fall 
a  drop  of  burning  oil  on  his  shoulder. 
The  pain  woke  him  up  immediately, 
and  he  saw  me  armed  with  sword  and 
fire.  'How  hideous,*  said  he,  *is  your 
crime  ;  leave  at  once  my  couch ;  I 
cast  you  off  for  ever,  and  I  will  join 
myself  in  marriage  with  your  sister ' 
(and  he  called  you  by  your  name).  He 
then  gave  an  order  to  Zephyr  to  carry 
me  outside  the  boundaries  of  the 
palace." 

Psyche  had  scarcely  finished  speak- 
ing, when  the  sister,  filled  with 
jealousy  and  tormented  by  a  criminal 
desire,  hoodwinked  her  husband  with 

SO 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

a  lying  tale  that  she  had  just  heard  of 
the  death  of  her  parents,  took  ship 
immediately  and  made  haste  to  the 
mountain  crag.  Although  another 
wind  was  blowing,  blinded  by  her 
impatience,  she  called  out,  '*  Receive 
me,  Cupid,  a  spouse  who  is  worthy  of 
you,  and  Zephyr  catch  up  your 
mistress."  Then  she  leapt  far  into 
the  abyss :  but  even  her  body  could 
not  reach  the  desired  valley,  for  the 
jagged  rocks  caught  and  broke  her 
limbs  to  pieces.  She  met  the  fate  she 
deserved,  for  her  scattered  limbs  and 
entrails  were  devoured  by  the  birds 
and  beasts  of  prey.  Nor  did  the 
punishment  of  the  second  sister  linger 
on  its  way,  for  Psyche,  beginning 
again  her  wanderings,  came  to  another 
city  where  the  other  sister  lived. 
Snared  by  the  same  tale  and  burning 
to  make  an  incestuous  marriage,  this 

SI  E2 


1 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

other  sister  also  hastened  to  the  crag, 
and  likewise  there  met  with  her  death. 

While  Psyche,  in  her  unflagging- 
search  for  Cupid,  was  wandering  all 
over  the  world,  he  lay  groaning  in  his 
mother's  chamber  suffering  from  the 
burns  from  the  lamp.  Then  a  sea- 
mew,  one  of  those  birds  who  cleave 
with  their  wings  the  waves  of  the  sea, 
dived  down  into  the  depths  of  Ocean's 
lap.  He  alighted  near  the  spot  where 
lovely  Venus  was  bathing  and  told 
her  how  her  son  was  suffering  from  a 
grievous  burn,  and  lay  on  her  bed^ 
his  recovery  doubtful :  that  rumour 
and  great  scandal  concerning  the 
whole  of  Venus*  family  was  spreading 
on  every  side.  *'  They  say  your  son,'^ 
said  the  sea-mew,  *'  has  been  dallying 
with  a  hill-side  mistress,  while  you 
have   been    beguiling   your   hours   in 

52 


1 


4ik 


I 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

bathing  in  the  sea ;  hence  there  has 
been  no  more  love,  or  pleasure,  or 
charm :  nothing  has  gone  smoothly, 
but  all  things  have  been  rough  and 
rude  ;  there  have  been  no  weddings, 
no  dear  friendships,  no  love  for 
children,  but  all  has  been  anarchy  and 
the  draff  from  unholy  unions."  These 
words  the  garrulous  and  tale-bearing 
bird  poured  into  Venus'  ear,  stirring 
up  her  anger  against  her  son. 

Venus,  filled  with  anger,  cried  out : 
«What,  has  my  good  son  already 
found  a  mistress  ?  Tell  me,  you  who 
alone  serve  me  faithfully,  what  is  the 
name  of  the  woman  who  has  beguiled 
my  innocent  and  beardless  boy?  Is 
it  one  of  the  Nymphs,  one  of  the 
Hours,  one  of  the  band  of  Muses,  or 
one  of  the  Graces  who  wait  upon 
me?" 

S3 


1 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

That  chattering  bird  could  not  keep 
silent.  "  I  don't  know,  mistress,"  he 
said,  **but  I  believe  it  is  a  maid 
that  he  sighs  for,  and,  if  I  remember 
rightly,  her  name  is  Psyche."  Then 
Venus,  mad  with  anger,  called  out : 
**  What,  he  loves  this  Psyche,  the  rival 
of  my  beauty,  the  stealer  of  my  name  i 
Did  the  boy  take  me  for  a  bawd 
who  showed  him  the  girl  for  him  to 
enjoy  r 

With  these  angry  words  she  rose 
quickly  out  of  the  sea  and  straight- 
way sought  her  golden  chamber,  and 
there,  as  she  had  heard,  she  found 
her  wounded  son.  Standing  on  the 
threshold  she  cried  out :  "  Here  is 
fine  behaviour  which  will  brighten  the 
renown  of  our  family  and  of  your 
reputation  :  that  you  should  spurn 
her     commands,     who    is    not    only 

S4 


r 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

your  mother,  but  is  also  your  queen ! 
What  means  it  that,  instead  of  rack- 
ing my  enemy  on  the  cross  of  a 
squalid  love,  you,  a  mere  boy,  should 
indulge  in  the  embraces  of  a  licentious 
and  immature  passion,  and  think  that 
I  would  countenance  my  rival  being 
made  my  daughter  in-law  ?  Do  you 
think,  you  little  monster,  that  you 
are  safe  to  be  always  my  only  son, 
and  that  I  am  past  the  age  of  child- 
bearing  ?  I  would  have  you  know 
that  I  will  have  another  son,  better 
behaved  than  you  :  or  at  any  rate,  so 
that  you  may  feel  more  deeply  the 
weight  of  my  anger,  I  will  adopt  one 
of  my  pages  ;  to  him  will  I  give  the 
wings,  the  torch,  the  bow,  even  the 
arrows  and  all  the  equipment,  which 
is  mine,  and  which  was  intrusted  to 
you  for  uses  far  other  than  those 
to  which  you  have   put  them.     You 

55 


[ 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 


never  would  bend  to  the  instructions 
of  your  good  parents,  but  from  your 
earliest  infancy  you  were  untoward 
and  petulant  in  your  actions.  How 
often  would  you  beat  irreverently  your 
elders  ;  every  day  you  would  tear  the 
clothes  off  my  back,  you  little  wretch, 
and  a  thousand  times  have  you  struck 
me,  and  now  you  defy  my  authority 
as  if  I  were  a  helpless  widow,  nor  do 
you  even  fear  your  step-father,  that 
brave  and  mighty  fighter.  On  the 
contrary,  you  have  been  in  the  habit 
of  procuring  girls  for  him,  to  my  great 
torment.  But  now  I  will  make  you 
pay  the  penalty  for  your  misdeeds, 
and  you  shall  taste  the  bitterness  of 
your  marriage.  What  have  I  done 
that  I  should  be  made  a  laughing- 
stock ?  Where  can  I  hide  myself? 
How  can  I  punish  this  little  serpent  ? 
Must  I  seek  the  help  of  my  enemy 

56 


i 


f 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

Sobriety ;  whom  I  have  so  often 
offended  in  order  to  satisfy  this 
boy's  fantasies  ?  Must  I  consult  that 
awkward  clown  of  a  woman  ?  I 
shudder  at  the  thought  :  but,  from 
wherever  it  comes,  I  must  not  disdain 
help  in  my  search  for  revenge.  Yes, 
I  must  seek  her  out  forthwith,  for  no 
one  else  will  chastise  this  young  knave 
so  severely.  She  will  unstrap  his 
quiver,  blunt  his  arrows,  cut  his  bow- 
string, quench  his  torch,  and,  as  for 
his  body,  she  will  keep  that  in  check 
by  stern  means.  I  will  think  my 
injuries  atoned  for  when  she  has  cut 
off  his  hair,  those  golden  curls  with 
which  I  have  so  often  played  :  when 
she  has  clipped  those  wings  which 
have  been  dewed  with  the  nectar  from 
my  breast." 


57 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

When  she  had  finished  she  rushed 
in  a  fury  out  of  the  house.  There 
she  was  joined  by  Ceres  and  Juno, 
who  inquired  why  her  face  was  so 
flushed,  why  her  stern  frown  and 
flashing  of  her  beautiful  eyes?  **You 
come  at  an  opportune  moment,"  said 
Venus ;  **  so  fierce  is  my  anger  that  I 
was  Hke  to  have  done  violence  to  my- 
self. Seek  for  me,  I  pray  you,  with 
all  your  might  that  vagabond  Psyche, 
who  has  flown  and  escaped  me.  For 
the  scandal  that  has  spread  about  my 
house,  and  the  escapades  of  him  who 
is  no  longer  fit  to  be  called  my  son 
are  not  unknown  to  you." 

Then  the  goddesses,  who  knew  all 
that  had  passed,  strove  to  eillay  her 
fierce  anger  :  **  What,  mistress,  are 
your  son's  misdeeds  so  great  that  you 
strive  with  all  your  might  against  his 

58 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

desires,  and  even  would  destroy  her 
whom  he  loves.'*  Is  it,  pray,  such  a 
fearful  crime  to  make  eyes  at  a  pretty 
girl  ?  Do  you  not  know  he  is  now  a 
sturdy  youth,  or  have  you  forgotten 
the  tale  of  his  years  ?  Because  he 
carries  his  years  so  lighdy,  does  he 
still  seem  to  you  a  boy  ?  You  are  a 
mother,  and  moreover,  a  sensible 
woman  ;  do  you  intend  always  to 
keep  so  nice  an  eye  on  your  son's 
gallantries,  to  rebuke  him  for  his 
lapses  from  virtue,  to  enchain  his 
desires  and  to  condemn,  when  found 
in  your  son,  the  arts  and  charms  that 
all  have  learnt  from  you  ?  What  god, 
what  mortal,  would  put  up  with  you, 
sowing  desires  in  all  men,  while  wish- 
ing to  restrain  the  play  of  passion  in 
your  own  household,  and  to  close  the 
workshop  of  woman's  transgressions  ?" 
Thus,  wishing  to  keep  in  his  favour, 

59 


CUPID   AND  PSYCHE 

they  defended  the  absent  Cupid, 
whose  arrows  they  so  greatly  feared. 
But  Venus,  incensed  at  the  injuries 
she  had  received  being  treated  with 
ridicule,  turned  her  back  on  them  and 
with  quickened  pace  made  for  the 
sea. 


60 


' 


MEANWHILE  Psyche 
wandered  through  the  land, 
by  day  and  night  seeking 
traces  of  Cupid,  her  longing  growing 
each  day  more  ardent,  hoping,  even  if 
she  could  not  win  back  her  angered 
husband  by  the  fascinations  of  a  wife, 
she  might  be  able  to  do  so  by  the 
prayers  of  a  slave.  One  day  in  the 
distance  she  saw  a  temple,  capping  a 
rough  mountain's  summit.  ''  Perhaps," 
said  she,  "my  lord  dwells  there.'* 
She  quickened  her  steps  towards  her 
goal ;  hope  and  desire  conquering  her 
weariness.  Resolutely  she  climbed 
the  hard  and  lofty  crags  and  reached 
the  entrance  of  the  sanctuary.  There 
she  saw  some  ears  of  corn,  some 
in    sheaves    and    some    plaited   into 

61 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

crowns,  there  also  she  saw  some  ears 
of  barley.  Sickles  were  there  and  all 
the  implements  a  harvester  needs  : 
but  all  in  disorder,  as  if  thrown  down 
by  wearied  labourers.  Psyche  tidied 
all  these  things  and  put  each  in  its 
place,  feeling  she  ought  not  to  neglect 
service  to  any  divine  sanctuary,  but  to 
court  the  favour  of  every  sympathetic 
god. 

While  she  was  doing  this  with  zeal 
and  care,  kindly  Ceres  caught  sight  of 
her  and  exclaimed  :  **  Alas,  poor 
Psyche !  Venus,  beside  herself  with 
anger,  makes  unremitting  search  for 
you  ;  she  seeks  the  direst  penalty  for 
you,  and  calls  all  her  strength  together 
to  obtain  revenge.  Are  you  here  taking 
care  of  my  belongings  and  thinking 
of  all  else  but  your  safety.^"  Then 
Psyche  fell  upon  her  knees  and  with  her 

62 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

abundant  tears  bathed  the  feet  of  the 
goddess,  while,  with  hair  sweeping 
the  ground  and  with  many  a  fervent 
prayer,  she  implored  her  help.  **  By 
your  hand,  which  gives  forth  fruits  to 
the  earth,  by  the  pleasant  rites  of  the 
harvesters,  by  the  mysteries  of  the 
secret  chest,  by  the  chariot  winged  by 
dragons  who  serve  you,  by  the  furrows 
of  Sicilian  soil,  by  the  car  that  carried 
off  Proserpine,  by  the  earth  who 
imprisoned  her  so  fast,  by  her  dark 
subterranean  nuptials,  by  the  light 
that  guided  you  on  your  return  after 
you  had  found  your  daughter,  by  all 
those  things  that  the  sacred  silence  of 
Attic  Eleusis  conceals,  I  beseech  you 
take  pity  on  poor  Psyche  who  kneels 
to  you.  Let  me  hide  among  these 
sheaves,  if  only  for  a  few  days  : 
perhaps  by  that  time  the  wrath  of  the 
goddess  will  have  passed  away,  or  at 

63 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

least,  by  an  interval  of  rest,  my  way- 
worn limbs  will  have  gathered  fresh 
strength  !" 

**  Your  prayers  and  sorrows,"  re- 
plied Ceres,  "go  to  my  heart,  and  I 
would  that  I  could  help  you  :  but 
Venus  is  my  kinswoman  and  to  her 
am  I  bound  by  all  the  ties  of  friend- 
ship, moreover  she  is  an  excellent 
woman  and  I  do  not  wish  to  expose 
myself  to  her  illwill.  Leave,  therefore, 
the  precincts  of  my  temple  without 
delay,  and  think  yourself  lucky  that  I 
have  not  kept  you  prisoner."  Psyche, 
repulsed  in  spite  of  her  hopes,  was 
now  doubly  sad.  She  retraced  her 
steps  and  saw  in  the  bottom  of  a 
valley  a  shrine  of  skilful  architecture. 
Wishing  not  to  neglect  the  chance  of 
a  kinder  reception,  however  doubtful 
that  chance  might  be,  but  to  implore 
the  assistance  of  every  divinity,  she 

64 


I 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

therefore  drew  near  the  sacred  portals. 
There  she  saw  the  most  precious 
offerings,  robes  embroidered  with 
golden  letters  hung  on  the  branches  of 
trees  and  were  fixed  to  the  doorposts 
of  the  temple ;  which  attested  the 
favours  that  had  been  received  and 
the  goddess  to  whom  they  were 
consecrated.  Then  on  bended  knee 
and  with  hands  clasping  the  still  warm 
altar,  stifling  her  sobs,  she  breathed 
forth  her  prayer  : 

"Great  wife  and  sister  of  Jove, 
whether  you  dwell  in  the  ancient 
temple  of  Samos,  which  rejoices  in 
having  heard  your  earliest  cries,  in 
having  been  your  nursery  and  play- 
ground :  or  whether  you  dwell  in 
the  happy  seats  of  lofty  Carthage 
where  men  adore  you  as  a  maiden 
carried  up  to  heaven  in  a  lion-drawn 

65  F 


' 


n 


"I 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

car:  or  whether,  on  the  banks  of 
Inachus,  where  you  are  proclaimed  the 
wife  of  Jupiter  and  the  queen  of  god- 
desses, you  protect  the  far-famed  walls 
of  Argos  :  you  whom  all  the  Orient 
worships  as  Zygia  and  all  the 
Occident  as  Lucina !  in  my  deep 
affliction  be  to  me  Juno  the  Pro- 
tectress, pity  me,  outwearied  by  my 
long  drawn  suffering,  and  save  me 
from  the  danger  that  hangs  over  me  : 
even  as  I  know  you  are  wont,  in  their 
time  of  peril,  to  help  all  women  labour- 
ing with  child."  At  these  prayers, 
Juno  presented  herself  in  all  the  pomp 
of  heavenly  dignity,  and  answered  : 
*'  By  all  I  hold  sacred,  I  wish  I  could 
answer  your  prayers  :  but  it  would  be 
against  the  wish  of  Venus  my 
daughter-in-law,  whom  I  have  always 
loved  as  my  daughter,  and  this  pro- 
priety forbids  me  to  do  :  the  laws  also 

66 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

forbid  me  to  harbour  a  slave  who  has 
fled  from  her  mistress." 

Psyche  was  now  in  despair  at  the 
utter  shipwreck  of  her  fortunes.  Un- 
able to  find  traces  of  her  winged 
husband,  and  robbed  of  all  hope  and 
safety,  she  broods  over  her  sad  destiny. 
'*  Whose  help  can  I  seek  in  my  tribu- 
lation, whose  help  can  I  obtain  when 
even  these  goddesses,  in  spite  of  their 
good  wishes,  dare  not  come  to  my 
aid.-^  Surrounded  as  I  am,  with  so 
many  snares,  how  can  I  retrace  my 
steps  ?  Under  what  roof,  within  what 
shades  can  I  hide  myself  from  the 
all-seeing  eyes  of  great  Venus  ?  Why 
not  arm  yourself  with  dauntless 
courage,  bravely  cast  aside  all  fruitless 
hopes,  and  throw  yourself,  of  your 
own  accord,  before  the  feet  of  your 
jnistress  ?     Perhaps  your  submission, 

6;^  F2 


ll 


4' 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

although  tardy,  will  soften  her  crue! 
wrath.  Who  knows  but  that  you  ma/ 
find  in  his  mother's  palace  him  for 
whom  you  have  sought  so  long?" 
Prepared,  by  surrendering,  for  the 
doubtful  chance  of  safety,  or  for  the 
completion  of  her  ruin,  she  thinks  out 
the  form  of  her  supplication. 

Venus,  deciding  to  lay  aside  earthly 
means  to  succeed  in  her  quest,  seeks- 
the  heavens.  She  orders  her  chariot 
to  be  made  ready,  the  one  that  Vulcan, 
the  wonderful  goldsmith,  had  wrought 
with  his  subtle  art,  and  which  he  had 
offered  her  as  a  bridal  gift  before  the 
consummation  of  her  nuptials.  This- 
chariot,  made  more  beautiful  by  the 
fretwork  of  the  file,  had  gained  in 
value  by  its  loss  of  gold.  From  the 
army  of  white  doves  who  lodged 
near  the   chamber   of  their  mistress^ 

68 


I' 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

four  fly  out,  and  with  joyous  haste, 
bending  their  tinted  necks,  they  fasten 
themselves  to  the  gem-covered  yoke  : 
their  mistress  takes  her  place  and 
gaily  they  rise  on  wing. 

With  boisterous  twittering,  the 
wanton  sparrows  swirl  round  the 
chariot  of  the  goddess,  while  the  other 
birds  with  their  sweetest  song  herald 
the  advent  of  the  queen.  The  clouds 
part  asunder,  and  heaven  opens  his 
gate  to  his  daughter,  and  with  joy  the 
vast  empyrean  receives  the  goddess, 
nor  do  the  choiring  attendants  of 
Venus  fear  either  the  fierce  eagle  or 
the  ravenous  hawk. 

She  turns  her  steps  towards  Jupiter's 
royal  seat,  and  demands  the  use  of  the 
services  of  Mercury  wuth  the  sonorous 
voice.  Jupiter  bows  his  azure  brow 
in  consent.  Then  the  exultinor  Venus 
descends  from  heaven  accompanied  by 

69 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

Mercury,  and  coaxes  him  with  these 
words:  "Arcadian  brother,  you  know 
that  Venus  has  never  done  anything 
without  the  help  of  Mercury,  nor  is 
it  unknown  to  you  how  lon^  I  have 
made  fruitless  search  for  this  slave  who 
has  escaped  me.  Nothing  remains 
but  that  you  as  crier,  should  publicly 
make  the  offer  of  a  reward  to  any  one 
who  shall  recover  her.  Obey  my 
commands  with  speed,  make  clear  the 
signs  and  tokens  by  which  she  can  be 
recognised,  so  that  if,  hereafter,  any 
one  is  accused  of  the  crime  of  unlaw- 
fully harbouring  her,  ignorance  cannot 
be  pleaded  as  an  excuse."  With  these 
words  she  hands  him  a  paper  on 
which  is  inscribed  Psyche's  name  and 
other  details  and  as  soon  as  she  had 
done  this,  she  goes  home. 


J^ 


JO' 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

Mercury  did  not  fail  to  obey.  He 
went  through  all  the  countries  of  the 
world  and  made  known  the  following 
proclamation  and  reward  :  *'  If  any 
one  shall  take  in  flight,  or  discover  the 
hiding  place  of  a  fugitive  slave  of 
Venus,  Psyche  by  name,  the  daughter 
of  a  kinor,  he  shall  hand  her  over  to 
Mercury  the  herald,  behind  the 
Murtian  boundaries.  He  who  does 
this  shall  receive,  as  reward,  seven 
sweet  fierce  kisses  from  Venus  herself, 
and  one,  sweet  with  the  honey  drawn 
from  her  caressing  tongue."  This 
proclamation  by  Mercury  aroused  in 
every  one  a  wild  desire  for  the  reward, 
and  quite  removed  any  irresolution 
which  Psyche  might  hitherto  have  felt. 

As  she  approached  the  portals  of 
her  mistress  she  met  one  of  the 
attendants    of   Venus,    called  Habit, 

71 


If 


] 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

who,  as  soon  as  she  saw  Psyche,  cried 
at  the  top  of  her  voice  :  '*  At  last, 
basest  of  slaves,  have  you  learnt  that 
you  have  a  mistress  ?  Or,  with  .  an 
audacity  that  would  fit  well  with  the 
rest  of  your  character,  will  you  pretend 
that  you  did  not  know  what  trouble 
we  have  been  put  to  in  our  search  for 
you  ?  But  luckily  you  have  fallen 
into  my  hands,  you  are  caught  fast  in 
the  claws  of  Orcus,  and  without  delay 
shall  receive  the  punishment  fit  for 
your  rebellion."  With  these  words 
she  savagely  seized  the  unresisting 
Psyche  by  the  hair  and  dragged  her 
along. 

When  she  had  been  brought  be- 
fore Venus,  the  goddess  broke  into 
triumphant  laughter,  but  it  was  the 
laughter  of  one  fierce  with  wrath  : 
then,  shaking  her  head  and  scratching 

72 


^1 


\* 


^ 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

her  right  ear,  she  says :  ''  At  length 
you  have  deigned  to  visit  your 
mother-in-law?  Or  is  it  not  rather 
that  you  have  come  to  visit  your 
husband,  who  lies  sore  wounded  by 
you?  But  be  at  ease,  I  will  show 
you  how  a  good  daughter-in-law 
should  be  trained."  Then  she  called 
out  :  "  Where  are  my  two  slaves, 
Sorrow  and  Care  ?"  When  they  were 
called  in,  she  handed  Psyche  over  to 
them  for  torture.  They  followed  out 
the  orders  of  their  mistress,  and  having 
scourged  poor  Pysche,  and  put  her 
under  all  forms  of  torture,  they  brought 
her  again  before  the  throne  of  their 
mistress. 

Once  more  Venus  broke  forth  in 
laughter:  **  Behold,"  said  she,  **that 
swelling  belly  ought  to  obtain  my 
sympathy ;  will  not  its  glorious   fruit 

73 


I  '■! 


\i 


II 


ai    I 


H 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

make  me  a  happy  grandmother  ? 
How  nice  for  me  to  be  called  *  grand- 
mother' while  still  in  the  flower  of 
my  youth,  and  to  hear  this  low  slave's 
child  called  the  grandson  of  Venus ! 
But  I  am  wrong  in  saying  that  he 
will  be  my  grandson.  The  marriage 
is  unequal  :  it  was  celebrated  in  a 
country  place,  without  witnesses,  with- 
out the  father  s  consent ;  it  cannot  be 
considered  valid :  your  child,  there- 
fore, will  be  born  a  bastard,  even  if  I 
let  you  live  to  bring  forth  a  child 
at  all." 

When  she  had  ended,  she  rushed 
on  Psyche,  tore  her  clothes  to  shreds, 
pulled  her  hair,  and  struck  her  on  the 
head  with  great  violence.  Then  she 
had  brought  to  her  some  grains  of 
corn,  of  barley,  of  millet,  of  poppy 
seed,    of  chick    pea,    of   lentils,    and 

74 


i 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

of  beans.  She  mixed  them  all  up 
together  into  one  confused  heap  and 
said  to  Psyche  :  "  You  seem  to  me  so 
ill-favoured  a  slave,  that  the  only  way 
for  you  to  win  a  lover  is  to  show  great 
zeal  in  his  service.  I  will  test  what 
good  there  is  in  you.  These  seeds 
that  I  have  mixed  together,  separate 
them  one  by  one,  and  arrange  them  in 
their  different  classes.  Before  night 
you  must  submit  your  completed  task 
for  my  approval.'*  Having  pointed 
out  the  great  heap  of  seeds,  she  went 
away  to  attend  a  wedding  feast. 

Psyche  made  no  effort  to  sort  this 
confused  and  chaotic  heap,  but,  dis- 
mayed by  the  barbarity  of  the  order^ 
she  stood  in  silent  stupor.  Then  an 
ant,  one  of  those  little  insects  that  live 
in  the  fields,  appreciating  the  enormity 
of  her   task,  took  pity  on  the  bride 

75 


Ill 


n  '■ 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

of  the  great  god,  and,  execrating  the 
mother-in-law's  cruelty,  ran  quickly 
and  called  together  the  whole  of  the 
neighbouring  tribe  of  ants.  '*  Take 
pity,"  he  cried,  *'oh  nimble  children  of 
the  fruitful  earth,  take  pity  on  Love's 
wife  :  hasten  to  succour  a  beautiful 
maid,  from  approaching  danger." 

They  came  running  up,  these  little 
six-legged  animals,  tumbling  one  over 
another  like  the  waves  in  the  sea  ; 
then  they  separated  the  grain,  and, 
arranging  each  in  its  class,  they  swiftly 
disappeared.  As  the  night  fell,  Venus 
returned  from  the  wedding  feast, 
soaked  in  wine  and  smellinor  of 
balsam,  with  her  body  wound  round 
with  gleaming  roses.  When  she  saw 
the  miraculous  accomplishment  of  the 
task  she  had  set,  she  cried  :  '*  This 
is  none  of  your  work,  you  deceitful 
wretch,  but   of  his,   to  whom,  to  his 

76 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

and  your  ruin,  you  appeared  pleasing.'^ 
Then,  throwing  her  a  piece  of  black 
bread,  she  sought  her  couch. 

Meanwhile  Cupid  was  kept  close 
prisoner  in  the  innermost  room  of  the 
palace,  partly  that  his  wound  should 
not  grow  worse  through  his  petulance 
and  restlessness,  partly  that  he  should 
not  meet  his  love.  Thus,  although 
separated,  the  two  lovers  passed  a  sad 
night  under  the  same  roof.  Just  as 
Aurora  was  driving  across  the  sky,, 
Venus  called  Psyche  and  said  :  "  Do 
you  see  that  wood,  through  which  a 
deep  banked  river  flows  :  the  further- 
most trees  of  the  wood  looking  on  the 
source  of  the  stream  ?  There  you  will 
find  sheep  shining  with  golden  fleeces,, 
and  grazing  without  a  shepherd.  I 
command  you  at  once  to  get  from 
them,  as  best  you  can,  a  flock  of  their 

77 


•:JI 

.3 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

precious  wool   and   bring  it   back  to 
me." 

Psyche  started  off  willingly,  not, 
however,  to  fulfil  her  task,  but  from 
the  rocky  precipice  by  the  river-side 
to  find  an  end  to  her  sufferino-s.     But 

o 

from  the  middle  of  the  river  a  green 
reed,  the  cradle  of  many  a  tender 
harmony,  inspired  by  the  gods,  com- 
forted Psyche  with  these  gende  words  : 
**  Psyche,  although  you  have  been 
racked  with  so  many  hardships,  do  not 
stain  my  holy  waters  by  your  un- 
hallowed death :  nor  go  near  the 
fierce  sheep  who  pasture  on  these 
banks,  for  when  the  sun  pours  down 
on  them  with  its  midday  heat,  they 
are  wont  to  become  mad  with  rage, 
and  with  their  sharp  horns,  their  hard 
foreheads,  and  sometimes  with  their 
poisonous  bites,  they  bring  to  mortals 

7^ 


« 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

a  cruel  death.  Until  midday  is  passed 
and  the  sun's  heat  diminished,  and  the 
flock  has  been  calmed  by  the  coolness 
of  the  stream,  you  can  hide  yourself 
under  the  tall  plane  tree  which  drinks 
with  me  the  waters  of  this  river.  As 
soon  as  the  cool  of  the  evening  has 
tempered  the  raging  of  the  flock, 
by  pulling  aside  the  leaves  of  the 
neighbouring  trees,  you  will  find  the 
oolden  wool  that  has  adhered  to  the 
network  of  branches  through  which 
the  sheep  have  forced  their  way." 
Thus  did  a  simple  reed  show  poor 
Psyche  her  way  to  safety.  She  did 
not  fail  to  listen  attentively  to  her 
instructions,  but,  by  observing  them 
all,  she  easily  accomplished  the  thefts 
of  the  flocks  of  yellow  gold,  and, 
filling  her  lap,  she  carried  them  to 
Venus. 


79 


H 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 


A 


But  the  issue  of  this  second    trial 
had  not  the  desired  success  :  wrinkling 
her  brows   and  with    sneering  smile, 
her  tyrant  mistress  said  :  '*  You  cannot 
cheat   me  :  I    recognise    the  hand    of 
your  false  helper.     Now  I  will  give 
you  a  test  which  will  prove  whether 
you  have  such  exceeding  cleverness 
and  prudence.     Do  you  see  the  jagged 
rock   that   overhangs   the  summit  of 
yonder  mountain,  from  which  a  stream 
flows  down   in   inky  waves    into    the 
lap  of  a  neighbouring  valley,  nourish- 
ing the  Stygian  bogs  and  the  hoarse 
waters  of  Cocytus  ?     Seek  the  earliest 
source  of  that  stream,  take  with  you 
this  litde  flagon,  and  fill  it  full  with  its 
icy  waters."     Thus  saying,  with  many 
threats    she    placed    in   her   hand  a 
crystal  flagon. 

Psyche  eagerly  hastened  to  the  top 

80 


CUPID   AND  PSYCHE 

of  the  mountain,  thinking  to  find 
there  an  end  to  her  misery  in  death, 
and  as  she  neared  the  rock  that 
had  been  pointed  out  to  her,  she 
realised  the  difficulties  of  her  task, 
and  the  certainty  of  her  fate.  The 
rock  towered  over  her,  jagged  and 
inaccessible,  spewing  out  from  its 
ragged  jaws  the  noisome  stream, 
which,  when  it  had  escaped  its  con- 
fines, tumbled  and  flowed  down 
the  mountain  side,  then,  tracing  a 
narrow  channel,  was  lost  in  the  valley 
beneath.  From  either  side  of  these 
rocky  jaws  two  raging  dragons,  with 
reared  heads,  rushed  out,  unsleeping 
sentinels,  whose  vigilance  is  never 
tired  or  cheated.  Now  even  the 
waters,  finding  voice,  began  to  warn 
her  :  "  Go  back,"  they  cried.  "  What 
are  you  doing?"  "Beware."  "Fly, 
or   you    will  perish."     The  hopeless- 

,    81  G 


t 


1^ 


I 


CUPID   AND  PSYCHE 

ness  of  her  task  turned  Psyche  to  a 
stone  ;  her  body  was  there,  but  her 
mind  had  fled  :  crushed  under  the 
weight  of  her  sorrow,  she  was  bereft 
even  of  the  comfort  of  tears. 

The  sorrows  of  this  innocent  soul 
were  not,  however,  hidden  from  all- 
seeing  Providence.  Suddenly  the 
royal  bird  of  all-powerful  Jupiter,  the 
fierce  eagle,  spread  wide  his  wings 
and  flew  down  to  her.  He  it  was 
who,  guided  by  Cupid,  found  and 
carried  off  the  Phrygian  youth  to  be 
Jove's  cupbearer.  He  wished  to 
repay  the  god  of  Love  by  bringing 
help  to  the  troubled  bride  :  and  for 
this  reason  he  had  left  the  ethereal 
realms,  and  alighted  before  the 
maiden. 

*'Ah,  Innocent!  unused  to  these 
tasks,    do   you   hope   to  get  even   a 

82 


1 


PSYCHE    AIDED    BY    THE    BIRD    OF    JUPITER 


(^ 


Ill 


:1 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

drop  from  this  fount,  as  terrible  as  it 
is  sacred  ?  Do  you  hope  to  be  able 
even  to  reach  it?  Have  you  not 
heard  that  all  the  gods,  even  Jupiter 
himself,  fear  the  Stygian  waters,  and 
that,  as  you  mortals  are  wont  to  swear 
by  the  divinity  of  the  gods,  the  gods 
swear  by  the  majesty  of  the  Styx? 
But  give  me  your  flagon."  He  took 
it  from  her  hand,  and  soon  returned 
with  it  filled. 

For,  by  rising  on  his  spreading 
wings,  he  could  fly  between  the 
dragons  whose  open  jaws  showed 
their  terrible  fangs  and  the  darting 
of  their  triple  tongues.  When  the 
flowing  waters  ordered  him  with 
threats  to  retire  and  leave  them 
unharmed,  he  pretended  he  came  by 
the  orders  of  Venus  and  on  her 
service  :  by  this  ruse  he  obtained  an 
easier  access  to  their  source. 

83  G2 


r 


t 

I     Inn 

If' 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

Having  the  flagon  full  of  water. 
Psyche  returned  joyfully  to  Venus: 
but  even  this  time  she  could  not 
assuage  the  anger  of  the  impla- 
cable goddess.  But  threatening  her 
with  still  heavier  and  crueller  tasks, 
Venus  called  to  her,  smiling  spite- 
fully :  "  You  seem  to  be  a  witch 
deeply  versed  in  the  infernal  arts, 
since  you  have  so  quickly  obeyed 
such  difficult  commands  :  but  here, 
my  lass,  you  shall  do  me  one  more 
service.  Take  this  box  and  carry  it 
to  the  realms  of  the  dead;  right 
into  the  gloomy  home  of  Orcus. 
There  you  shall  present  the  box 
to  Proserpine  :  tell  her  that  Venus 
asks  her  to  send  by  you  a  little  of  her 
beauty,  even  if  it  is  only  sufficient 
for  a  day  :  for  she  has  consumed  all 
that  she  had  in  nursing  her  son,  who 
is  sick.     Lose  no  time  in  returning, 

84 


«<w 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

for    I  must  use  it  before   I  take  my 
place  in  the  theatre  of  the  gods." 

Then  Psyche  felt  she  had  reached 
the  very  crown  of  her  sorrows,  and 
casting  on  one  side  all  illusive  hopes, 
she  saw  that  the  goddess  intended  to 
drive  her  to  destruction.  Else,  why 
should  she  command  her  to  go  on  foot 
to  Tartarus  and  the  Shades?  Without 
delay  she  made  for  the  first  high 
tower  that  she  saw,  from  there  intend- 
ing to  throw  herself  headlong.  This, 
she  judged,  would  be  the  easiest 
and  most  direct  way  to  descend  to 
Tartarus.  But  suddenly  the  tower 
found  voice  and  spoke  to  her  in  the 
following  words  :  "Why,  poor  wretch, 
do  you  seek  your  death  by  throwing 
yourself  down  from  my  summit.-* 
Why  do  you  succumb  without  effort 
before    this   fresh   task   and  danger.^ 

85 


A 


«>* 


CUPID   AND  PSYCHE 

If  you  unyoke  your  soul  from  your 
body  you  can,  indeed,  go  to  the  very 
bottom  of  Tartarus  :  but  then  you  can 
in  no  wise  return.  Listen  to  me. 
Lacedaemon,  a  noble  city  of  Achaia, 
is  situated  not  far  from  here.  Seek 
near  there  the  entrance  to  Taenarus, 
hidden  in  an  obscure  corner.  There 
is  the  vent  hole  of  Pluto's  dwelling, 
and  through  the  yawning  gap  you 
will  see  a  pathless  way  :  as  soon  as 
you  have  passed  through  this  gap, 
and  have  entered  on  your  journey,  a 
straight  road  will  bring  you  to  the 
kingdom  of  Orcus.  You  will  not, 
however,  be  able  to  walk  right  through 
these  shades  with  empty  hands.  You 
must  carry  in  either  hand  a  cake  of 
pearl-barley  mixed  with  honey,  andr 
in  your  mouth,  two  pieces  of  money. 
When  you  have  gone  some  way  along 
the  road  of  the  dead,  you  will  meet  a 

86 


1 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

lame  donkey  loaded  with  faggots,  and 
with  him  a  lame  driver,  who  will  ask 
you  to  hand  him  some  cords  as  the 
load  has  slipped  down.  But  you 
must  pass  on  without  answering  a 
word.  Soon  you  will  come  to  the 
river  of  the  dead.  There  Charon 
holds  his  sway,  demanding  toll  from 
all  who  wish  to  be  ferried  over  to  the 
opposite  bank  in  his  frail  bark.  For 
greed  thrives  among  the  dead. 
Charon,  Pluto  himself,  though  great 
even  among  the  gods,  gives  nothing 
for  nothing,  and  a  poor  man  dying 
must  seek  money  for  his  fare,  for  no 
one  who  has  it  not  is  allowed  to 
breathe  out  his  soul.  Give  this  loath- 
some old  man  a  piece  of  money  for 
his  fare :  but  make  him  take  it  out  of 
your  mouth  with  his  hand.  Nor  is 
this  all ;  as  you  are  passing  over  these 
stagnant   waters,    an   old   dead    man 

87 


i 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

floating  in  the  stream  will  raise  aloft 
his  putrefying  hands  and  beg  you  to 
draw  him  into  the  boat.  But  do  not 
give  way  to  a  pity  that  is  unlawful. 
When  you  have  crossed  the  river  ai>d 
have  gone  a  little  distance  on  your 
way,  some  old  women  spinning  a  web 
will  ask  you  to  lend  them  your  aid  for 
a  little  while  :  but  it  is  not  lawful  for 
you  even  to  stretch  forth  your  hand. 
For  these,  and  many  others,  are 
merely  traps  laid  by  malevolent  Venus 
in  order  to  get  you  to  drop  one  of 
your  cakes.  Do  not  think  the  loss  of 
one  of  these  cakes  would  be  a  matter 
of  small  moment,  for  if  one  is  lost  the 
light  of  day  will,  for  ever  after,  be 
refused  you.  Then  you  will  see  an 
immense  dog,  endowed  with  three 
huge  heads  and  throats,  a  fierce  and 
dreadful  monster  who,  thundering  out 
deep  barks  from  his   throats,  frights 


i 


%M 


GUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

away  the  dead,  whom,  however,  he 
cannot  harm.  He  watches  always 
before  the  threshold  of  Proserpine's 
sombre  halls,  and  guards  Pluto's 
silent  dwelling.  You  will  easily 
be  able  to  get  past  him  by  throwing 
him  one  of  your  cakes.  You  will 
then  be  able  to  go  direct  to  Proserpine, 
who  will  welcome  you  kindly,  and 
will  invite  you  to  recline  on  a  soft 
couch,  and  to  partake  of  a  sumptuous 
feast.  Refuse  this,  and,  sitting  on 
the  ground,  ask  for  a  piece  of  black 
bread  and  eat  it.  Then  tell  the  pur- 
pose of  your  coming,  and,  taking  what 
is  given  you,  retrace  your  steps. 
Assuage  the  savage  dog  by  throwing 
him  your  remaining  cake  :  after  that 
you  will  pay  the  greedy  ferryman  with 
your  second  piece  of  money,  and, 
having  recrossed  his  river,  you  will 
follow  the  path  you  came  by,  and  see 

89 


CUPID  AND   PSYCHE 

once  more  the  sky  with  its  glittering 
band  of  stars.  In  all  my  advice,  this 
one  point  is  the  most  important :  do 
not  wish  to  open  the  box  you  are 
carrying,  or  look  upon  the  divine 
beauty  deep  hidden  jn  its  treasure 
house."  Thus  the  benevolent  tower 
gave  its  advice. 

Psyche  directed  her  steps  without 
delay  to  Taenarus,  and  providing  her- 
self with  the  pieces  of  money  and  the 
cakes,  she  descended  the  path  to  the 
shades.  She  passed  in  silence  the 
crippled  donkey  driver,  and  gave  the 
ferryman  the  piece  of  money ;  she 
hardened  her  heart  against  the  old 
man  swimming  in  the  stream,  and 
turned  a  deaf  ear  to  the  crafty  prayers 
of  the  spinners,  and,  appeasing  the 
dog's  rage  by  the  gift  of  a  cake,  she 
entered  Proserpine's  palace.  Refusing 
the  offer  of  a  soft  couch  and  a  dainty 

90 


ti 


I' 


14 


'*  * 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

repast,  she  seated  herself  humbly  at 
the  feet  of  the  goddess,  and  having 
appeased  her  hunger  with  black  bread, 
she  told  the  message  of  Venus.  With- 
out delay  she  obtained  the  box,  filled 
and  closely  fastened.  With  her  second 
cake  she  sealed  the  mouth  of  the 
snarling  dog,  and  giving  her  remain- 
ing piece  of  money  to  the  ferryman, 
she  ran  with  all  haste  from  the  valley 
of  the  shades. 

When  with  thankful  heart  she 
once  more  reached  the  upper  world, 
although  in  hot  haste  to  end  her 
task,  a  reckless  curiosity  filled  her 
mind.  **  Behold,"  said  she,  **  here  am 
I,  stupidly  bearing  the  source  of  the 
goddess'  beauty,  which  if  I  take  but  a 
little  for  myself,  will  render  me 
gracious  in  the  eyes  of  my  beloved." 
With  these  words  she  opened  the  box. 
Lo  !  it  contained  no  means  of  beauty, 

91 


.} 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

but  a  death-like  and  Stygian  sleep,: 
which,  as  soon  as  the  lid  .was  opened, 
rose  and  spread  its  lethargic  vapours 
over  every  limb,  and  chained  her  to 
the  very  spot  on  which  she  stood. 
There  she  fell,  bereft  of  all  power  pf 
motion,  a  breathing  statue. 

But  Cupid  had  now  quite  recovered 
from  his  wound,  and  could  no  longer 
bear  his  Psyche's  absence.  He,  there- 
fore, escaped  by  the  narrow  window 
of  the  chamber  in  which  he  was  im- 
prisoned. On  wings,  strengthened  by 
his  long  rest,  he  flew  swiftly  down  to 
his  Psyche  :  he  recaptured  the  Sleep, 
and  forced  it  back  into  its  box,  and 
then  with  his  arrow's  harmless  point 
he  awakened  Psyche,  "  Once  more," 
he  said,  '*  poor  child,  you  come  to 
grief  through  the  same  curiosity.  Lose 
no  time  now  in  fulfilling  my  mother's 

92 


, 


PSYCHE    AWAKENED    BY    CUPID 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

commands  :  after  that  I  will  see  to  the 
rest."  With  these  words,  her  lover 
took  flight,  and  Psyche  carried  Proser- 
pine's gift  without  delay  to  Venus. 


In  the  meanwhile,  Cupid,  outworn 
with  love,  and  fearing  that  his  mother's 
displeasure  would  send  him  forthwith 
to  Sobriety,  took  possession  once  more 
of  his  arms.  On  swiftest  wing  he 
flew  up  to  the  topmost  sky,  and  there, 
before  Jupiter  himself,  he  pleaded  his 
cause.  Jupiter  took  his  face  between 
his  hands,  and  drawing  it  towards  his 
mouth,  kissed  him,  and  then  addressed 
him  :  '*  You  know  well,  my  son,  you 
have  never  treated  me  with  the  respect 
that  all  the  other  gods  have  paid  me  : 
this  intelligence  which  has  formed  the 
great  laws  of  nature,  which  guides  the 
stars  in  their  journeys,  you  have  dis- 
torted by  your  repeated  blows.     On 

93 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

earth  you  have  disgraced  it  by  oft- 
repeated  amours,  breaking  the  laws 
especially  promulgated  against  such 
intrigues.  You  have  drawn  me  into 
adulterous  adventures  which  have  com- 
promised my  honour  and  good  name  ; 
you  have  compelled  me  to  hide  my 
majesty  under  the  basest  forms,  a 
snake,  a  fire,  a  wild  beast,  a  bird,  a 
bull.  I  must  not,  however,  forget  the 
need  of  gentleness  :  or  that  you  were 
brought  up  under  my  hand.  I  will 
consent  to  all  your  requests  :  but 
remember  to  be  on  guard  against 
your  rivals,  and  if  there  is  on  earth  a 
maid  of  surpassing  beauty,  with  her 
you  must  repay  my  bounty." 

When  he  had  spoken  thus,  he 
ordered  Mercury  to  convoke  an 
assembly  of  the  gods,  and  to  proclaim 
that  if  any  of  the  gods  were  absent 

94> 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

from   the   roll-call,  he   would  be  con- 
demned  to  a  fine   of  ten    thousand 
crowns.     By  reason  of  this  threat,  the 
celestial     amphitheatre    was    quickly 
filled.      Seated   on    his   lofty  throne 
great  Jupiter  began  :    ''  Gods   whose 
names  are  enrolled  in  the  registers  of 
the  Muses,  you   know   full   well  that 
this   youth,  by   my  side,    was   reared 
under  my  hand.     His  youthful  prime, 
his  boyish  outbreaks,  make  me  think 
it  necessary  to  rein  him  in.     Each  day 
brings  me  tales  of  his  lechery  and  riot. 
I  feel  that  an  end  must  be  put  to  all 
this,  and  I   have  decided  to  enchain 
his  intemperance   with   the  bonds  of 
matrimony.     He  has  chosen  a  maid, 
and  has  robbed  her  of  her  virginity. 
Her  shall  he  hold,  her  shall  he  possess, 
in  Psyche's  embraces  shall  he  for  ever 
find    content."       Then,      turning    to 
Venus,    he    said:     **  And    you,    my 

95 


CUPID   AND   PSYCHE 

beloved  daughter,  do  not  grieve,  nor 
fear,  by  reason  of  a  marriage  with  a 
mortal,  that  the  honour  of  your  great 
house  and  name  will  be  dimmed. 
This  marriage  shall  neither  be  dis- 
proportionate nor  irregular."  He  then 
ordered  Mercury  to  find  Psyche  and 
carry  her  up  to  the  heavens.  When 
this  had  been  done,  he  took  a  cup 
of  ambrosia  and  said  :  "  Drink, 
Psyche,  and  be  immortal  :  never  more 
shall  Cupid  leave  your  side,  for 
your  marriage  shall  last  throughout 
eternity." 

Immediately  a  magnificent  marriage 
feast  was  served.  On  the  seat  of 
honour  sat  Cupid  with  Psyche  in  his 
arms.  With  them  sat  Jupiter  and 
Juno,  then  the  gods  in  their  order. 
Nectar,  which  is  the  wine  of  the  gods, 
was  handed  around.     His  own  cup 

96 


CUPID  AND  PSYCHE 

bearer,  the  young  shepherd,  served 
Jupiter,  the  rest  of  the  gods  were 
waited  on  by  Bacchus,  while  Vulcan 
cooked  the  viands.  The  Hours 
crowned  the  guests  with  roses,  the 
Graces  sprayed  them  with  balsam,  the 
Muses  sang  with  dulcet  voice.  Apollo 
sang  to  his  lyre,  Venus,  to  the  strains 
of  sweetest  music,  danced  with 
heavenly  grace.  It  was  so  arranged 
that  the  Muses  formed  the  choir, 
while  a  Satyr  played  his  flute,  and  a 
pupil  of  Pan  attuned  his  pipe.  Thus, 
with  all  due  rites,  was  Psyche  joined 
to  Cupid,  and,  in  due  course,  the  child 
was  born,  whom  men  call  Desire. 

Here  ends  the    tale  of  Cupid  and 
Psyche. 


97 


»t5^^! 


^^Ouul»lOlir^    ufMrvtnori    T     LIBRARIES 


VX1 


Apulelus  liadaurensis 
The  story  of  Cupid  i  Psyche 


)665170 


.in   JUN  1922 


1922 


-,1;  *D  ^  ^ 


"13 


I 


/ 


